Category Archives: campaigns

Non-Disclosing Groups, on Both Sides of Battle Over Next Supreme Court Nominee, Hit Facebook with Ads

July 3, 2018, 5:29 pmcampaigns, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

NYT: Judicial Crisis Network, an organization that promotes conservative judicial nominees, announced last week that it would spend more than $1 million to support Mr. Trump’s nominee. So far, the group has spent as much as $140,000 on a series… Continue reading

“Supreme Court Defeat for Unions Upends a Liberal Money Base”

July 1, 2018, 8:41 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

NYT: The Supreme Court decision striking down mandatory union fees for government workers was not only a blow to unions. It will also hit hard at a vast network of groups dedicated to advancing liberal policies and candidates. Some of… Continue reading

“Will federal officials further regulate online political ads? Too soon to tell.”

June 28, 2018, 9:53 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, federal election commissionRick Hasen

CPI reports.

“Federal officials struggle to drag political ad rules into the internet age”

June 27, 2018, 7:41 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, federal election commissionRick Hasen

CPI: The American social media platforms Russian entities used to influence the 2016 presidential election are essentially attempting to regulate themselves, fearing a repeat during the 2018 midterms. Meanwhile, the federal government agency tasked with protecting U.S. elections from … Continue reading

“Inside Facebook and Twitter’s secret meetings with Trump aides and conservative leaders who say tech is biased”

June 27, 2018, 9:00 amcampaignsRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

Texas: “Democratic runoff winner: Voter fraud lawsuit is ‘pound of revenge’ in race for Joe Barton’s seat”

June 26, 2018, 10:24 amcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Star-Telegram: Democrat Jana Lynne Sanchez wants an Ellis County court to dismiss a lawsuit challenging her 717-vote primary runoff win for the 6th Congressional District over Ruby Woolridge. She filed court records saying the lawsuit filed by Woolridge — which… Continue reading

“Democrats Plan New Effort to Target Minority Voters”

June 21, 2018, 6:38 pmcampaigns, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

NYT: The Democratic National Committee is undertaking an expansive, multimillion dollar strategic plan to motivate voters who typically sit out midterm elections, with a particular focus on engaging nonwhite communities through new investments in local organizing and a six-figure advertising… Continue reading

“National Enquirer sent stories about Trump to his attorney Michael Cohen before publication, people familiar with the practice say”

June 21, 2018, 4:35 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

WaPo: During the presidential campaign, National Enquirer executives sent digital copies of the tabloid’s articles and cover images related to Donald Trump and his political opponents to Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen in advance of publication, according to three people with… Continue reading

Breaking: FEC Refuses to Act on Complaint Donald Trump Used Campaign Resources for Personal Use

June 15, 2018, 12:30 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Statement from dissenting FEC Commissioner Weintraub: Trump hotels, Trump steaks, Trump water, Trump golf courses, Trump wine. The Complaint in this matter cites to an unprecedented catalog of candidate-branded products and properties used along the 2016 campaign trail. According to… Continue reading

“Why the I.R.S. Should Go After Trump”

June 15, 2018, 11:54 amcampaign finance, campaigns, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Philip Hackney NYT oped: The New York State attorney general yesterday filed a lawsuit against the Donald J. Trump Foundation and its directors, accusing the charity and the Trump family of violating campaign finance laws, self-dealing and illegal coordination with… Continue reading

“The Curious Campaign Role of Donald Trump’s Foundation”

June 15, 2018, 11:35 amcampaign finance, campaigns, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Ciara Torres-Spelliscy blogs.

“The Supreme Court Made a Good Decision on Election Law; In praise of the ruling in Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky.”

June 14, 2018, 9:35 amcampaigns, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

I have written this piece for Slate. It begins: Not every Supreme Court decision about elections is a disaster, and the ruling in Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky striking down Minnesota’s very broad ban on wearing political apparel in polling… Continue reading

Breaking: Supreme Court on 7-2 Vote Holds Minnesota’s Ban on Political Apparel at the Polling Place Unconstitutionally Overbroad

June 14, 2018, 7:11 amcampaigns, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

You can read the majority opinion by Chief Justice Roberts (with a dissent from Sotomayor, joined by Breyer) at this link. [My analysis to come.]

“Web of elite Russians met with NRA execs during 2016 campaign”

June 11, 2018, 1:27 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

McClatchy reports: Several prominent Russians, some in President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle or high in the Russian Orthodox Church, now have been identified as having contact with National Rifle Association officials during the 2016 U.S. election campaign, according to photographs… Continue reading