Category Archives: campaigns

“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

“Prominent Democratic law firm pays questionable ‘bonuses’ to partners for campaign contributions”

October 29, 2016, 5:40 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Boston Globe/Center for Responsive Politics: From 2010 through 2014, Strouss and Bradley, along with founding partner Michael Thornton and his wife, donated nearly $1.6 million to Democratic Party fund-raising committees and a parade of politicians — from Senate minority… Continue reading

Breaking: Divided 6th Circuit Restores Michigan Ban on Ballot Selfies for this Election

October 28, 2016, 3:22 pmcampaignsRick Hasen

A majority opinion (by Judge Sutton), a concurrence, and a dissent. Judge Sutton’s main point is that this comes too late in the election season for Michigan to make a change now: “Call it what you will—laches, the Purcell principle,… Continue reading

“Man Arrested For Wearing ‘Basket Of Deplorables’ Shirt At Texas Polling Place”

October 28, 2016, 9:09 amcampaignsRick Hasen

Ban on electioneering.

“NY Becomes Latest State To Face Suit Over Ballot Selfie Ban”

October 28, 2016, 7:47 amcampaignsRick Hasen

Law 360 reports.

“Money Flows Down Ballot as Donald Trump Is Abandoned by Big Donors (Even Himself)”

October 28, 2016, 7:25 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

NYT: Disclosures filed with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday revealed tens of millions of dollars in late donations and transfers to Republican “super PACs” focused on down-ballot races, suggesting a significant last-ditch effort to protect Senate and House candidates… Continue reading

“Union dumps consultant, PAC treasurer in Petit ad fiasco”

October 28, 2016, 7:15 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Ct. Mirror: House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, told reporters Thursday morning that someone should lose their job over the digital attack ad a union political action committee placed against Dr. William Petit, a home-invasion survivor. By nightfall, someone did.

“Democratic megadonor bankrolls ‘Republicans for Clinton’ super PAC”

October 28, 2016, 7:11 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

CPI reports.

McConnell’s SuperPac to Save Republican Senate Gets $11 Million Infusion from Non-Disclosing 501(c)(4)

October 28, 2016, 7:07 amcampaign finance, campaigns, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Teddy Schleifer for CNN: The super PAC has flipped that money almost immediately into a new advertising push in a half-dozen states financed entirely by the late checks. Those contributions will not be reported until December, though many expect Sheldon… Continue reading