Category Archives: political parties

“Unbound: The Conscience of a Republican Delegate”

May 26, 2016, 7:39 ampolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

Sean Parnell and Curly Haugland have written this book (available as a free download through the Citizens in Charge Foundation). It makes the case that all delegates to the Republican National Convention are free to vote their conscience under Rule… Continue reading

“Two Myths About the Unruly American Primary System”

May 25, 2016, 12:38 pmpolitical partiesRichard Pildes

I published a longish essay with that title today in the Washington Post, at the excellent Monkey Cage blog. Here are a few excerpts: Many Americans will be surprised to learn that few democracies give primary elections a dominant role… Continue reading

“Bernie Sanders asks for recanvass of Kentucky primary vote”

May 24, 2016, 12:05 pmelection administration, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

“Minnesota To Switch From Caucus To Primary For 2020 Presidential”

May 23, 2016, 7:46 amelection administration, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

A ChapinBlog.

“John Oliver Shows Why U.S. Primaries And Caucuses Are ‘An Erratic Clusterf**k Every 4 Years’”

May 23, 2016, 7:45 amelection administration, election law "humor", political parties, primariesRick Hasen

Watch.

“Bernie Sanders supporters sue to have California’s voter registration extended until election day”

May 23, 2016, 6:31 amelection administration, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

LAT: A federal lawsuit alleging widespread confusion over California’s presidential primary rules asks that voter registration be extended past Monday’s deadline until the day of the state’s primary election on June 7. “Mistakes are being made,” said William Simpich, an… Continue reading

“Here’s how a wealthy Trump supporter could give $783,400 to support his campaign and the RNC”

May 20, 2016, 8:04 amcampaign finance, campaigns, political partiesRick Hasen

Matea Gold for WaPo.

“Political Parties, Voting Systems, and the Separation of Powers”

May 20, 2016, 7:55 ampolitical partiesRick Hasen

Stephen Gardbaum has posted this draft on SSRN (forthcoming, American Journal of Comparative Law). Here is the abstract: This article aims to show that whatever the formal arrangements on the separation or “fusion” of executive and legislative powers —… Continue reading

“Trump’s deal with the RNC shows how big money is flowing back to the parties”

May 18, 2016, 8:58 pmcampaign finance, political partiesRick Hasen

WaPo: The deal Donald Trump struck with the Republican National Committee this week that allows wealthy supporters to give nearly $500,000 to finance his campaign and get-out-the-vote activities made it official: The parties are back in the big-money business.… Continue reading

“St. Joseph County candidate nominated by two parties for one seat”

May 16, 2016, 7:09 amcampaign finance, political partiesRick Hasen

South Bend Tribune reports he may sue to keep D and R nominations.

“Anti-Donald Trump Forces Gear Up For Third-Party Challenge”

May 10, 2016, 2:17 pmballot access, political parties, third partiesRick Hasen

HuffPo: Top Republican strategists this past week have stepped up a frantic effort to lay the groundwork for a third-party presidential run, even as elected officials within the party begin to make their peace with Donald Trump. The effort… Continue reading

“FEC Seeks to Derail Soft-Money Challenge”

May 9, 2016, 5:14 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, political parties, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Bloomberg BNA: The Federal Election Commission is seeking to derail a challenge to limits on “soft-money” contributions to political parties before the case is put on a fast track to the Supreme Court (Republican Party of La. v. Federal … Continue reading

“The real obstacle to voter turnout in Democratic primaries: caucuses”

May 2, 2016, 12:27 pmpolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

Jeff Stein for Vox: Bernie Sanders wants to transform how the Democratic Party chooses its presidential nominee. To do so, Sanders has made abolishing the closed primary — which prevents independents from voting — one of his top demands of… Continue reading

“Inquirer editorial: How to fix the primaries”

May 2, 2016, 7:55 amalternative voting systems, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

Philly.com: Two states, California and Washington, have gone further, instituting “top two” primaries for non-presidential elections. All candidates compete in a single preliminary election, from which the two most popular proceed to the general, even if they’re both Democrats,… Continue reading