Category Archives: Uncategorized

My 2023 Opeds and Commentaries (and Moving 2022 Commentaries to the Archives)

December 29, 2023, 4:36 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Here are the 2023 commentaries, in reverse chronological order: Terrifying Reports About Trump’s Plans for a Second Term Have One Bright Spot, Slate, November 7, 2023 The Supreme Court Needs to Make a Call on Trump’s Eligibility, The Atlantic, September… Continue reading

“Colorado GOP asks U.S. Supreme Court to keep Trump on the ballot”

December 28, 2023, 6:59 amUncategorizedJanuary 6, Section 3Spencer Overton

WaPo: The Colorado Republican Party on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to ensure that Donald Trump’s name can appear on the state’s primary ballot after Colorado’s high court said he had engaged in insurrection and was ineligible to… Continue reading

“Don’t blame democracy’s woes on the GOP or ‘tyranny of the minority’”

December 28, 2023, 6:58 amUncategorizedJanuary 6, The Big LieSpencer Overton

Jennifer Rubin in the WaPo: Two of the year’s best books on politics present contrasting diagnoses for what ails American democracy. Liz Cheney’s “Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning” lowers the boom on the mendacious… Continue reading

“Haley declines to say slavery was cause of Civil War”

December 28, 2023, 6:57 amUncategorized15th AmendmentSpencer Overton

The former South Carolina governor’s home state was the first to secede. This could be an easy question to answer in light of the leadership of the Republican Party in ending slavery, ensuring voting rights, and building a multiracial democracy… Continue reading

“As social media guardrails fade and AI deepfakes go mainstream, experts warn of impact on elections”

December 28, 2023, 6:43 amUncategorizedAI, disinformationSpencer Overton

PBS NewsHour: Nearly three years after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, the false election conspiracy theories that drove the violent attack remain prevalent on social media and cable news: suitcases filled with ballots, late-night ballot dumps, dead people… Continue reading

“Hochul vetoes controversial campaign finance changes”

December 28, 2023, 6:41 amUncategorizedCampaign finance, public financingSpencer Overton

Times Union: Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation that would have widened the net of eligible campaign contributions for matching public funds under a new system that is being rolled out in the 2024 elections…. “Signing this bill would effectively… Continue reading

“House Ethics launches investigation into Florida Democrat”

December 28, 2023, 6:39 amUncategorizedCampaign financeSpencer Overton

Politico: The House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday that it’s investigating Florida Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick over complaints that she may have violated campaign finance laws, failed to submit required disclosures and carried out improper hiring practices.

“Plaintiffs seek ruling Thursday in state Senate redistricting challenge”

December 28, 2023, 6:38 amUncategorizedredistricting, Voting Rights Act; Section 2Spencer Overton

The Carolina Journal: Plaintiffs challenging North Carolina’s new state Senate election map are asking a federal judge to make a decision Thursday about issuing a preliminary injunction. Critics of the Senate plan filed their latest court document Tuesday evening.… Continue reading

“A New, and Old, Approach to Constitutional Conventions”

December 28, 2023, 6:11 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

David Pozen: One of the most significant disagreements on Balkinization seems to have reached an impasse. For almost two decades now, Sandy Levinson has been advocating a constitutional convention as a means to reconsider and revamp the Constitution’s most pernicious structural… Continue reading

“Michigan Supreme Court Decides Trump Can Stay on Ballot”

December 27, 2023, 7:53 amUncategorizedSection 3Spencer Overton

NYT: The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday paved the way for Donald J. Trump to appear on the state’s primary ballot, a victory for the former president in a battleground state. The state’s top court upheld an appeals court… Continue reading

“A Fake Trump Elector in Michigan Told Prosecutors of Regret, Anger”

December 27, 2023, 7:51 amUncategorizedSpencer Overton

NYT: One of the Republicans in Michigan who acted as a fake elector for Donald J. Trump expressed deep regret about his participation, according to a recording of his interview with the state attorney general’s office that was obtained… Continue reading

“Here are the redistricting disputes shaping the battle for House control”

December 27, 2023, 7:48 amUncategorizedredistricting, Voting Rights ActSpencer Overton

CBS News: Election Day 2024 may still be 11 months away, but the first stage of the battle over control of the House is underway, with redistricting fights being waged in courtrooms from Louisiana to New York. In… Continue reading

“Republicans likely to take Wisconsin gerrymandering case back to the U.S. Supreme Court”

December 27, 2023, 7:47 amUncategorizedredistrictingSpencer Overton

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Republican lawmakers are likely heading back to the U.S. Supreme Court to defend Wisconsin’s electoral maps that have delivered huge GOP majorities for years. But they’ll first have to convince the nation’s high court it has… Continue reading

“Republicans Launch Two-Pronged Attack Against Voting Rights Act”

December 27, 2023, 7:45 amUncategorizedVoting Rights Act; Section 2Spencer Overton

TPM: In their endless quest to further defang the Voting Rights Act and gerrymander their way into permanent control, Republican officials have launched a double-headed attack on the landmark civil rights law. The new attacks emerge as Republican politicians… Continue reading