Monthly Archives: December 2011

Norm Eisen Confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic

December 15, 2011, 9:08 amelection law bizRick Hasen

The former White House ethics czar had a recess appointment which was soon to expire. He had been blocked by Senator Grassley, but it looks like he got an assist from the National Review and was confirmed 70-16. (h/t Eric … Continue reading

“Ind. Decisions – Supreme Court rules on whether misdemeanant may be disenfranchised during period of imprisonment”

December 15, 2011, 9:04 amvotingRick Hasen

The Indiana Law Blog reports.

New Legal Language Project

December 15, 2011, 9:03 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Dan Katz sends along the following email: wanted to share an exciting legal language project that I think might be of interest to you and your colleagues: http://legallanguageexplorer.com/ In partnership with Michigan State University Law School & Emory Law School, … Continue reading

“The impossible task of verifying signatures on the Walker recall petitions”

December 15, 2011, 9:01 amdirect democracy, recall electionsRick Hasen

Althouse blogs.

“Election deception bill’s legality could hinge on SCOTUS case”

December 15, 2011, 8:58 amcampaignsRick Hasen

Interesting post from Gerstein, though I’m not sure I agree. Even if the Court strikes down the Stolen Valor Act, there may be additional state interests which would apply to the punishment of false campaign speech.

“Michigan Senate passes bill allowing Oakland County Republicans to redraw district lines”

December 15, 2011, 8:56 amredistrictingRick Hasen

The Detroit Free Press reports.

“Holder Speaks Up for Voting Rights”

December 15, 2011, 8:52 amelection administration, The Voting Wars, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

NYT editorializes. Relatedly Ann Beeson writes this piece for NYT’s “Campaign Stops site: “In his speech, the attorney general exposed the coordinated campaign underway to deny the right to vote to millions of Americans, and pledged to use all … Continue reading

“Putting Political Reform Right Into the Pockets of the Nation’s Voters”

December 15, 2011, 8:51 amcampaign finance, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Tom Edsall reviews Larry Lessig’s new book for the NY Times.

“Republicans Face Voting Shake-Up”

December 15, 2011, 8:48 amprimariesRick Hasen

Financial Times: “The competition for the Republican presidential nomination, already full of drama, is set to become even more tumultuous as the party introduces voting rules designed to lengthen the primary process. With many US states shifting next year… Continue reading

“FEC Complaint Filed Against Perry Campaign and Perry-Supporting Super PAC Urging Investigation of Shared Video Footage”

December 15, 2011, 8:46 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

See this release from the Campaign Legal Center.

“Texas Counties in Voting Chaos Over Redistricting Case”

December 15, 2011, 8:46 amredistricting, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

NYT reports.

“The Big Campaign Finance Story of 2011: An Effective End to Public Financing”

December 14, 2011, 7:33 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

One year ago, I made these predictions about the Arizona public financing case and the demise of the public financing system for presidential candidates. This was part of Loyola’s “11 on 11” series where eleven scholars made predictions… Continue reading

“Technology, grumpy voters made this the year of the recall”

December 14, 2011, 4:31 pmrecall electionsRick Hasen

Joshua Spivak has written this oped in the Oakland Tribune.

“Report: Wealthy ‘Elite Donors’ Fueling U.S. Politics”

December 14, 2011, 4:29 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

NPR: “A tiny percentage of very wealthy Americans funded a relatively large chunk of the 2010 congressional midterm races, continuing a trend that has been growing for two decades, according to a new analysis of political contributions. The… Continue reading