All posts by Justin Levitt

“SCOTUS Ruling Ensures Lever Machines a Go in NYC Elections”

June 28, 2013, 2:12 pmelection administration, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

That’s right, lever machines. Now, without the need to preclear their use in upcoming municipal elections. For elections technology in New York, time doesn’t seem to pass: it just is. I do have a question about the legality of… Continue reading

Reactions to Shelby County: Sam Bagenstos

June 28, 2013, 1:44 pmVoting Rights ActJustin Levitt

And really, it’s a reaction to many of the decisions of the week: Martin Luther King famously said that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. If the Supreme Court’s recent decision to invalidate… Continue reading

“Voting Rights after Shelby County v. Holder”

June 28, 2013, 1:35 pmVoting Rights ActJustin Levitt

A truly all-star cast offers this webcast sponsored by Brookings, this Monday from 10am-4pm eastern.

“The Voting Rights Act of 1965: One Vote,One Voice.”

June 28, 2013, 1:32 pmVoting Rights ActJustin Levitt

This is the title of a remarkable website chronicling the history of the Voting Rights Act. It generously incorporates multimedia exhibits taken from primary sources, and looks to be an exceptional resource. And what really blows my mind is that… Continue reading

“The Supreme Court’s Other Voting Rights Decisions This Week”

June 28, 2013, 12:56 pmredistricting, voter id, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Frontline covers the Texas remands.

Appeal filed in Texas campaign finance case

June 28, 2013, 12:02 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

This is an appeal to the decision in Catholic Leadership Coalition of Texas v. Reisman. Plaintiffs had challenged two provisions: a corporate/labor contributions ban, and a requirement that PACs appoint a campaign treasurer 60 days before making expenditures or… Continue reading

“Moretinas plead guilty to voter fraud in Jackson County”

June 28, 2013, 11:47 amchicaneryJustin Levitt

Two pleas to falsifying residence information, in order to vote in the wrong Missouri district.

Initiatives after Hollingsworth v. Perry

June 28, 2013, 11:32 amvoter initiativesJustin Levitt

There’s quite a bit of coverage of Perry‘s holding with respect to the initiative process. A smattering: In California: LA Times: Prop. 8 ruling raises fears about effects on other initiatives Orange County Register (editorial): Prop. 8 ruling blow to … Continue reading

“Prop. 8 deserved a defense”

June 28, 2013, 10:50 amvoter initiativesJustin Levitt

Erwin Chemerinsky’s thoughtful op-ed discusses ways for California (and other states) to defend public initiatives in federal court.

The Integrity of the SMOB

June 28, 2013, 10:50 amUncategorizedJustin Levitt

J.H. Snider writes about one of the more unfortunate acronyms in the electoral world: the Student Member of the Board (of Education) in some Maryland counties. There are some tremendously interesting issues around the election process for these positions that… Continue reading

Problems with data matching

June 28, 2013, 10:49 amvoter registrationJustin Levitt

This Miami report discusses Belén Alvarez Vásquez, listed on the electoral rolls with the last name of “Alvarez Vásquez” and on the records of deceased individuals with the last name of “Vásquez.” Here, the mismatch failed to remove Alvarez Vásquez… Continue reading

“Sale of Voter Registration Data Raises Questions, Objections”

June 28, 2013, 10:48 amvoter registrationJustin Levitt

A story discussing permissible use of voter registration data in California. Every state’s laws are different: this study lays out the basic landscape as of 2004, though use restrictions have since changed in some places.