“Voting Early–and Often; Maryland swims against the election-reform current”
John Fund offers this OpinionJournal column.
Monthly Archives: February 2006
Senator Obama on Section 5 Renewal
Yesterday I participated in the kickoff event for the new AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project. I think this promises to be a very important program to bring together academics, advocates and policymakers who are interested in a serious look at… Continue reading
New York Judicial Election Articles
The NY Times offers State’s Chief Judge Calls for Changes in Way Judges Are Elected. See also this oped by Joshua Spivak in the Brooklyn Eagle, “A Stark View of NY’s Judicial Selection Process.”
“Competition and Redistricting in California: Lessons for Reform”
UC Berkeley’s Institute for Governmental Studies has published this research study. From the press release:
Redistricting reform could increase the competitiveness of some California Congressional and legislative districts, according to a new study released today by the Institute of… Continue reading
FEC Commissioners Toner and Lenhard Testify Before Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
The testimony provides a great introduction to the question how FECA applies to Indian tribes. See also this Roll Call report on the hearing.
Oral arguments on issues related to the “top two” primary
On Monday, a Ninth Circuit panel held oral argument in a case challenging the constitutionality of Washington state’s top two primary. According to this AP report, the judges were skeptical that a top two primary that did not give… Continue reading
Lobbying Reform Update
The Senate Rules Committee held a hearing on lobbying reform yesterday. The NY Times reports Differences Emerging Over Efforts to Restrict Lobbying. Bob Bauer responds to this Washington Post editorial. Brad Smith offers this Roll Call oped (paid… Continue reading
AU Summer Institute on Democracy and Elections
The following announcement arrived via e-mail:
American University announces its Summer Institute on Democracy and Elections, which will take place on June 5-15, 2006. This Summer Institute provides an intensive course of executive education on elections–how to conduct them, how… Continue reading
“Why did redistricting reform fail in California and Ohio in 2005? New survey research provides great data and a lot of insight”
See this report on Election Updates.
“69 Million Voters will use Optical Scan Ballots in 2006”
Election Data Services has issued this report.
Important Electionline.org Report Released
Electionline.org has released its 2006 annual report, “Election Reform: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t and Why? 2000-2006.” Here is the press release and here is an AP report summarizing the report’s major findings.
Off to D.C.
I’ll be part of the AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project Launch. Regular blogging to resume Thursday.
“The Remand in WRTL”
Ned Foley has posted this interesting comment on the Moritz election law website. He offers a proposed test to separate genuine issue advocacy from electioneering for courts to apply on remand: “Thus, on remand, the standard for defining the scope… Continue reading
In the Election Law Mailbag
A number of items have recently arrived, which I’ll note here briefly.
1. The latest issue of PS: Political Science and Politics is a must read for students of election law. In addition to Benjamin Highton’s articles on voter turnout… Continue reading