Category Archives: campaigns

A Week Before the Election, ACLU Files Lawsuit to Allow Ballot Selfies in CA

October 31, 2016, 7:16 pmcampaignsRick Hasen

Here is the complaint. After asserting the law’s unconstitutionality, the complaint states: “Moreover, the California legislature has already repealed the laws that Plaintiffs challenge, illustrating the lack of government interest in their enforcement. But because of the timing of this… Continue reading

“Trump Traders: Like Tinder, but for swapping your swing state vote”

October 31, 2016, 3:49 pmcampaigns, vote buyingRick Hasen

McClatchy reports. As I’m quoted saying in the article, I don’t believe the issue of legality is settled, despite the 9th Circuit precedent.

“FBI Making Inquiry Into Ex-Trump Campaign Manager’s Foreign Ties”

October 31, 2016, 3:21 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

NBC News: The FBI has been conducting a preliminary inquiry into Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort’s foreign business connections, law enforcement and intelligence sources told NBC News Monday. Word of the inquiry, which has not blossomed into a… Continue reading

“Was a Trump Server Communicating With Russia?”

October 31, 2016, 3:07 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Franklin Foer with one of the more bizarre, and worrisome, stories of this bizarre and worrisome election season.

NC Sen. Burr, Running for Reelection, Jokes About Gun Owners Shooting Clinton; Says #SCOTUS Vacancy for 4 Years

October 31, 2016, 3:03 pmcampaigns, chicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Wow report from Manu Raju at CNN.

“How Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Are Flouting Campaign Finance Rules”

October 31, 2016, 2:53 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Brendan Fischer for Moyers & Co.

“Pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC accepted illegal contributions”

October 31, 2016, 2:48 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

CPI: Pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC Correct the Record accepted $250,000 in illegal contributions from a charity backed by a Boston-based construction firm already in trouble this year for its political donations. Suffolk Cares Inc., a nonprofit charity registered under section… Continue reading

“Why no selfies in voting booth? Think “$20 or a pint of whiskey””

October 31, 2016, 8:15 amcampaignsRick Hasen

The Post and Courier.

“No evidence for ‘Trump supporters with dogs’ tweet claim”

October 31, 2016, 7:49 amcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Cincinnati Enquirer: Outside of a single unsubstantiated tweet, there is currently no evidence Donald Trump supporters with dogs harassed African-Americans voting early in Cincinnati. At about 10 p.m. Sunday, Christian writer and progressive political activist Jim Wallis tweeted to his… Continue reading

“Citizens vs. Citizens United”

October 31, 2016, 7:47 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

WaPo editorial: Voters in four states — California, Missouri, South Dakota and Washington — will vote on statewide ballot measures dealing with abuses in the campaign finance system. The measures range from support for a constitutional amendment to overturn… Continue reading

“‘Jew-S-A!’ chant is latest reminder of white supremacist support for Trump”

October 30, 2016, 9:42 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

WaPo: Donald Trump’s campaign manager on Sunday forcefully disavowed a supporter as “deplorable” for chanting “Jew-S-A!” at a weekend rally, the latest incident of anti-Semitic rhetoric used by some of the GOP nominee’s backers. “[The man’s] conduct is completely unacceptable… Continue reading

Viral Video of Son Joking He’s Not Voting for Clinton Prompts Mom to Ask for Ballot Selfie to Prove How He Voted

October 30, 2016, 9:33 amcampaignsRick Hasen

Yeah, it’s funny. But it’s not. Ballot selfies can facilitate coercion, not just vote buying.

Richard Painter, GW Bush Ethics Czar, Files Hatch Act Complaint Against FBI

October 30, 2016, 9:23 amcampaigns, conflict of interest laws, ethics investigationsRick Hasen

Painter in the NYT opinion section: But it would be highly improper, and an abuse of power, for the F.B.I. to conduct such an investigation in the public eye, particularly on the eve of the election. It would be an… Continue reading

“Hoax Image of Immigration Officers Arresting Voters Is Making Rounds on Social Media”

October 29, 2016, 5:50 pmcampaigns, chicanery, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Electionland: An image has begun circulating on Twitter that appears to show an immigration officer arresting someone in line to vote. The image is a hoax, as is the accompanying threatening language directed at Hispanic voters. The image is a… Continue reading