Category Archives: political parties

“Why Party Democrats Need Popular Democracy and Popular Democrats Need Parties”

August 11, 2011, 3:28 pmpolitical parties, theoryRick Hasen

Ethan Leib and Chris Elmendorf have posted this draft on SSRN (forthcoming California Law Review). Here is the abstract: Too often popular political power – whether it is in the form of direct democracy or other more innovative forays in… Continue reading

“GOP Feels the Influence of Outside Money Groups”

August 10, 2011, 5:54 pmcampaign finance, political partiesRick Hasen

Parties feel what’s left of McCain-Feingold isn’t working for them.

“Ohio Libertarian Party sues secretary of state, wants parts of election overhaul overturned”

August 9, 2011, 9:05 pmballot access, political parties, third partiesRick Hasen

AP reports.

“Some states’ push for earlier GOP primaries creates chaos for Republican leaders”

August 5, 2011, 6:41 ampolitical parties, primariesDan Tokaji

WaPo reports here on some states’ intent to hold their primaries earlier than Republican Party rules permit. The “problem children” are Arizona, Florida, and Michigan. (Really? Again?)

“Is the Democratic Party’s Superdelegate System Unfair to Voters?”

August 3, 2011, 7:01 pmpolitical partiesDan Tokaji

Josh Ryan addresses the question in this manuscript, to be published in Electoral Studies. Here’s the abstract: Among the reasons for the historic nature of the 2008 Democratic primary race was the attention paid to the “superdelegates”. The competitiveness… Continue reading

“50 Politicos to Watch”

July 31, 2011, 7:14 pmelection administration, political partiesDan Tokaji

This year’s list from Politico includes litigators to keep your eye on during the 2012 election cycle.

“California Set to Move Its Presidential Primary Back to June”

July 29, 2011, 7:34 ampolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

The SacBee reports.

“Primary Calendar Stirs Republican Anxiety”

July 26, 2011, 7:43 ampolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

NYT reports.

Kunde v. Seiler

July 13, 2011, 8:52 pmpolitical partiesRick Hasen

Interesting new opinion from a California Court of Appeal: Elections Code section 13305 permits the county central committee of a qualified political party to include a party contributor envelope or a one-page letter in the official mailing of the sample… Continue reading

Quote of the Day

June 15, 2011, 10:19 pmcampaign finance, political partiesRick Hasen

“The extensive constitutional protection for independent expenditures for or against candidates, and the continuing restrictive rules on direct donations to candidates and political parties, has created a strange political culture in the United States. A large and growing proportion of… Continue reading