All posts by Justin Levitt

More Stuff Struck Down: Marion County Judicial Election System Invalidated

October 10, 2014, 12:48 amjudicial elections, UncategorizedJustin Levitt

Also on Thursday, a federal court invalidated the system for electing judges in Marion County, Indiana. It’s an odd (and, says the court, likely unique) system: a party may nominate candidates for no more than half of the available judicial… Continue reading

“In Supreme Control: What Do Justices Owe Voters in Exchange for Taking Their Cash?”

October 10, 2014, 12:46 amcampaign finance, judicial electionsJustin Levitt

Questions about judicial campaign finance from Facing South.

Investigation into SC Legislators’ Alleged Sale of Votes

October 10, 2014, 12:46 ambribery, chicaneryJustin Levitt

Lots of allegations, not much detail. But boy, this could be a mess.

California Political Reform 40 Years Later

October 10, 2014, 12:45 amcampaign finance, lobbyingJustin Levitt

Bob Stern, co-author of the California Political Reform Act of 1974, calls out his former boss over recent vetoes. The picture of 1975 Jerry Brown alone is worth the clickthrough.

Not All “Purcell Problems” Are Alike

October 9, 2014, 11:17 pmelection administration, election law and constitutional law, voter id, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Rick says that tonight’s TX ID case (which does, indeed, enter a permanent injunction against the ID law – on pp. 142-143 of the opinion) creates a huge Purcell problem. I’m not so sure. To be clear, I can understand… Continue reading

BREAKING: Federal Court Strikes TX ID Law

October 9, 2014, 5:53 pmelection law and constitutional law, The Voting Wars, voter id, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Texas-sized news out of the Lone Star State. A federal court has struck down Texas’s voter ID law. It violates the Voting Rights Act, it violates the constitutional prohibition on poll taxes, it violates the constitutional prohibition of unjustified burdens,… Continue reading

9th Circuit Affirms Renzi Conviction

October 9, 2014, 4:36 pmbribery, Speech or Debate ClauseJustin Levitt

The opinion, again rejecting a defense under the Speech or Debate Clause, is here. Rick’s earlier coverage is here.

“How Will Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS Stay Within the Law In 2014?

October 9, 2014, 4:26 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawJustin Levitt

Looking into primary purpose. Or major purpose. Or both.

Nothing Yet from SCOTUS on WI Stay

October 9, 2014, 3:28 pmSupreme Court, voter idJustin Levitt

Coming up on 6:30pm ET, and nothing yet today from SCOTUS on either of the applications for a stay of the 7th Circuit’s decisions on WI voter ID. But given yesterday’s late release, the day is apparently still young.

Lewis Black Strides Boldly into the Voting Wars

October 9, 2014, 3:25 pmThe Voting WarsJustin Levitt

It’s classic Lewis Black. Which is to say, NvSFW.

Secretary of State Races

October 9, 2014, 3:24 pmUncategorizedJustin Levitt

Lead this week’s electionlineWeekly.

More FEC reports and reactions

October 9, 2014, 3:23 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

Most of the reports focus largely on the advisory opinion approving fundraising earmarked for party conventions on top of the $32,400 limit on contributions to the national parties. From The Hill, NPR, Politico, Time, USA Today… Continue reading

“FEC Votes Suggest Gridlock is Easing”

October 9, 2014, 3:23 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

A Politico report on today’s meeting begins: “The deep freeze at the Federal Election Commission may be thawing.”

“Let’s Be Real Here”

October 9, 2014, 3:20 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

FEC Commissioner Ellen Weintraub dissents from today’s rulemaking following Citizens United. Vice Chair Ann Ravel (who voted for the new rule) and Commissioner Steven Walther (who voted against) also issued statements.