Category Archives: campaigns

“Judge puts Michigan ‘gag order’ election law on hold”

February 5, 2016, 3:01 pmcampaignsRick Hasen

Detroit Free Press: A federal judge agreed to put at least a temporary halt to an election law bill passed in December that would restrict how local and school officials communicate with their residents about ballot proposals and millage… Continue reading

“All the money in the world isn’t buying votes this primary season”

February 5, 2016, 2:15 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, Plutocrats UnitedRick Hasen

Noah Bierman for the LAT: Money may yet prevail in this year’s presidential election, but the failure so far of big donors to propel candidates to the top of the heap has shown the limitations of even huge stockpiles… Continue reading

“Iowa governor pans Cruz for ‘unethical’ actions in caucus”

February 4, 2016, 8:41 pmcampaigns, primariesRick Hasen

The Hill reports.

“Va. elections board officially repeals loyalty pledge at GOP request”

February 4, 2016, 2:11 pmcampaigns, political partiesRick Hasen

WaPo: Donald Trump may have come in second in the Iowa caucuses. But the presidential candidate scored victory in Virginia on Thursday, when the state Board of Elections officially repealed a controversial loyalty pledge at the request of the… Continue reading

“Did Ted Cruz gin up Iowa voter histories?”

February 4, 2016, 2:10 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Sure seems like it. (Politifact) And voicemails too! (TPM)

“Ted Cruz, a Public Firebrand on Social Issues, Is Cooler When Wooing Donors”

February 4, 2016, 8:05 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

NYT reports.

“Clinton blasts Wall Street, but still draws millions in contributions”

February 4, 2016, 8:01 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

“New Path for Masking Super PAC Donors; Funds from limited liability companies grow, making it harder to know the name of the ultimate donors”

February 4, 2016, 7:51 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

WSJ reports.

“Alaska Speaks Up For Self-Government”

February 4, 2016, 7:44 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Free Speech for People: On Monday, the State of Alaska filed an important legal brief setting forth a bold argument forself-government as a theory for limiting out-of-state money in local and state election campaigns. The state’s lawyers discussed the… Continue reading

“Bush super PAC the biggest loser in ad wars”

February 4, 2016, 7:40 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

CPI video.

Greg Sargent on Clinton-Sanders Fight Over Clinton Wall St. Donations

February 4, 2016, 7:34 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Good point: In making this broad argument, Sanders is implicitly indicting not just Clinton, but President Obama and many Democrats who voted for Dodd-Frank financial reform. Indeed, that’s the essence of Sanders’ whole case: Obama achievements such as the Affordable… Continue reading

Ohio Supreme Court Rejects Election Challenge Because of Unreasonable Delay, In Part Because of UOCAVA Requirements

February 3, 2016, 10:22 amcampaignsRick Hasen

Decision. I’m a big believer in using laches (unreasonable delay) as a reason to kick more election suits out where candidates and groups sit on their rights.

“The steady flow of money feeding the presidential race”

February 3, 2016, 7:40 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Scott Tong reports for Marketplace: “After all the caucusing in Iowa, a top tier of candidates is emerging. Underneath it all is a steady flow of money — so-called super PACs that are playing a larger role than ever before… Continue reading

No, Donald Trump Cannot Void Iowa Caucus Based on Cruz’s Alleged Lies: Explained

February 3, 2016, 7:16 amcampaignsRick Hasen

The Washington Post recaps a series of tweets by Donald Trump this morning in which he calls for a do-over of the Iowa caucuses based on a claim that Ted Cruz “stole” the election. (Trump initially said “illegally” stole the… Continue reading