All posts by Justin Levitt

“Advocates in Florida clamor for a fix for the formerly incarcerated who want to vote”

May 4, 2023, 8:47 pmfelon votingJustin Levitt

NPR offers a reminder that Florida has said that individuals with past convictions can’t vote until they pay off all associated fines and fees, and has been increasingly aggressive about prosecuting missteps … but still has no single system for… Continue reading

Trial court enjoins Kansas prohibition on distributing personalized pre-filled absentee ballot applications

May 4, 2023, 8:47 pmabsentee ballots, campaigns, petition signature gatheringJustin Levitt

This is an intriguing decision, analogizing the challenge to cases protecting advocacy groups’ right to circulate petitions without undue regulation.

“Colorado county flouts state law aimed at curbing gerrymandering”

May 4, 2023, 8:46 pmredistrictingJustin Levitt

The intersection of redistricting and home rule is a sweet spot for local government conflict. The Denver Post has an update on Weld County.

“Democratic operative charged with NJ election fraud”

May 4, 2023, 8:46 pmchicanery, petition signature gatheringJustin Levitt

This one’s not the work of a criminal mastermind. According to [AG] Platkin, James Devine allegedly emailed the Secretary of State’s Division of Elections about 1,948 fraudulent voter certifications in support of [a] petition for a spot on the… Continue reading

Arizona Supreme Court sanctions Kari Lake’s attorneys

May 4, 2023, 2:14 pmchicanery, election law biz, election subversion riskJustin Levitt

Hot off the press: an order by the Arizona Supreme Court sanctioning Kari Lake’s attorneys for false factual statements to the court. I believe this is at least the second sanctions order issued against Kurt Olsen related to false statements… Continue reading

BREAKING: Four Proud Boys Convicted of Sedition in Key Jan. 6 Case

May 4, 2023, 8:34 amelection subversion riskJustin Levitt

From the NYT: Four members of the Proud Boys, including their former leader Enrique Tarrio, were convicted on Thursday of seditious conspiracy for plotting to keep President Donald J. Trump in power after his election defeat by leading a… Continue reading

“Emails Reveal ‘Jaw-Dropping’ Herschel Walker Money Scandal”

May 3, 2023, 11:54 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

New from the Daily Beast: Emails show Herschel Walker solicited hundreds of thousands of dollars for his own business from a billionaire donor, with the donor believing he was giving to Walker’s campaign. and In the best possible circumstances,… Continue reading

“Shemia Fagan resigns as Oregon secretary of state following cannabis consulting scandal”

May 3, 2023, 4:08 pmelection law bizJustin Levitt

Oregon Public Broadcasting has a deeper dive.

Disney v. DeSantis

May 3, 2023, 4:07 pmFirst Amendment theoryJustin Levitt

On April 26, Disney sued DeSantis in federal court. And on May 1, DeSantis (well, the five DeSantis appointees to the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) sued Disney in state court. The federal case is essentially about a… Continue reading

“Microsoft economist warns of A.I. election interference from ‘bad actors’”

May 3, 2023, 4:05 pmcheap speech, election subversion riskJustin Levitt

I’m also on an upcoming panel (at Caltech, this Friday!) about the “Societal Implications of Generative AI” … but when the chief economist of a company with a $1 billion investment in the technology raises a flag at… Continue reading

“Trump Vows to Empower Political Pastors on Christian Nationalist Broadcast”

May 3, 2023, 4:04 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawJustin Levitt

Rolling Stone cites the former President’s plans on the Johnson Amendment: “We never enforced it. We essentially ended it. I wasn’t able to finish it. But I’ll finish it this time.” The Johnson Amendment prohibits 501(c)(3) nonprofits, contributions to which… Continue reading

“The Jolt: Georgia megadonor tells Trump attorney election was clean”

May 3, 2023, 4:03 pmcheap speech, election subversion risk, fraudulent fraud squadJustin Levitt

Lauren Windsor with another audio reveal from the Cleta Mitchell conversation to RNC donors. More here at the AJC. From a donor apparently identified as Tommy Bagwell, to the assembled crowd: I’m one of the largest donors to Trump… Continue reading

The other other Dominion case

May 3, 2023, 4:02 pmelection administration, voting technologyJustin Levitt

The AP reminds us that this case about a touchscreen ballot-marking system, first filed August 8, 2017 (challenging what were then paperless DREs), went to a summary judgment hearing on Tuesday.

“Court ruling risks letting election fraud off the hook. Lawmakers must fix it.”

May 3, 2023, 4:01 pmfraudulent fraud squadJustin Levitt

Texas AG Ken Paxton lobbies for more legislation on election crime, after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on separation of powers grounds struck down a law purporting to give the AG power to prosecute. The underlying dispute was about… Continue reading