All posts by Justin Levitt

“The Selective Reading of the Supreme Court’s Decision in Citizens United”

October 13, 2014, 9:35 amcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The Washington Post notes that Citizens United protected independent speech, but much current spending seems decidedly non-independent. And it concludes that the spenders are ignoring or dodging the Court. I think the blame is misplaced. In making constitutional rulings, the… Continue reading

“Political Spending Double-Cross”

October 13, 2014, 9:35 amcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The WSJ continues to beat the drum against the CPA-Zicklin index of corporate political disclosure.

“Judge Rules Colorado Disclosure Law Unconstitutional”

October 13, 2014, 9:34 amcampaign financeJustin Levitt

CCP, counsel for the plaintiffs, discusses the Colorado reporting-and-disclosure case I mentioned yesterday.

“Ballot Item Would Reform Redistricting, at Least in Theory”

October 13, 2014, 9:34 amdirect democracy, redistrictingJustin Levitt

A NY Times report about the constitutional amendment on the ballot in New York to change the redistricting structure. Unlike other states that have recently changed their redistricting process (like California and Florida), New York has no citizens’ ballot… Continue reading

“What’s In A Name? It Could Matter If You’re Writing To Your Lawmaker”

October 13, 2014, 9:33 amlegislation and legislatures, voter idJustin Levitt

NPR reports on a fascinating (and alarming) study — I’d seen an earlier draft. Researchers emailed state legislators, asking what kind of documentation they needed; the only difference in the emails was the name of the sender (Jacob Smith… Continue reading

“GOP-Backed Voting Limits Spur Backlash”

October 13, 2014, 9:33 amelection administration, The Voting WarsJustin Levitt

And here come the backlash stories. A snippet of the latest: Already, more Americans than ever will face new voting restrictions in November as 15 states – some with the closest midterm races in the country – begin implementing laws… Continue reading

“The Most Persuasive Judicial Response to Voter Suppression Laws Yet”

October 13, 2014, 9:31 amelection administration, election law and constitutional law, The Voting Wars, voter idJustin Levitt

Andrew Cohen connects Judge Ramos to Judge Posner in The Week.

“The Big Lie Behind Voter ID Laws”

October 13, 2014, 9:31 amelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter idJustin Levitt

Yesterday’s editorial from the New York Times.

“Braced for Voter Fraud in Colorado”

October 12, 2014, 10:50 pmfraudulent fraud squadJustin Levitt

John Fund’s latest in the National Review Online. Mr. Fund is a very careful writer. One paragraph (the brackets are mine) states: One of the examples [Secretary Gessler] cites [as reason to be afraid of same-day registration] is Wisconsin. In… Continue reading

Collateral Damage from the Voting Wars?

October 12, 2014, 2:37 pmThe Voting WarsJustin Levitt

NPR profiles the surprisingly close election for Kansas Secretary of State.

“Judge Richard A. Posner’s Riposte Skewers State’s Flawed Voter ID Law”

October 12, 2014, 2:36 pmelection administration, election law and constitutional law, The Voting Wars, voter idJustin Levitt

Today’s editorial in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Fifth Circuit documents

October 12, 2014, 12:28 pmelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter id, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

The 5th Circuit still hasn’t recognized the Texas voter ID appeal on its own case management system, in part because the state’s initial petition for a 5th Circuit order slowing the whole business down was apparently filed under seal. But… Continue reading