Monthly Archives: February 2012

Final Version of “Lobbying, Rent Seeking, and the Constitution” Now Available

February 14, 2012, 8:46 amcampaign finance, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Stanford Law Review has published my article, Lobbying, Rent Seeking, and the Constitution. Here is the abstract: Politicians across the political spectrum, from Barack Obama to Sarah Palin and Rand Paul, routinely castigate lobbyists for engaging in supposedly corrupt activities… Continue reading

“Montana and the Supreme Court”

February 14, 2012, 8:43 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT editorializes. My analysis (predicting the Supreme Court will reverse in this Citizens United follow-on) is here.

“Super PACs Readying For Battle In San Diego”

February 14, 2012, 8:42 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

KPBS reports.

Video of the Day

February 14, 2012, 8:40 amcampaign finance, election law "humor"Rick Hasen

(Blowback) I’m Your Super PAC (The Clash they’re not) (via Ken Vogel)

“Voter Rolls Are Rife With Inaccuracies, Report Finds”

February 13, 2012, 10:19 pmelection administration, voter registrationRick Hasen

NYT: “The nation’s voter registration rolls are in disarray, according to a report released Tuesday by the Pew Center on the States. The problems have the potential to affect the outcomes of local, state and federal elections.”

“Congress Looks for Ways Around Supreme Court”

February 13, 2012, 10:16 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Interesting Ben Pershing WaPo column on Citizens United and the Skilling case.

:Aspen’s Marks, citizen group sue over election practicesl Ballots that can be traced back to voters at issue:

February 13, 2012, 10:12 pmelection administrationRick Hasen

The Aspen Times reports. More from the Denver Post. The complaint is here. One very interesting question is whether the First Amendment protects the right to a secret ballot. The state constitutional claim may have an easier… Continue reading

“Federal judge gives big push to redistricting lawsuit”

February 13, 2012, 10:06 pmredistricting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

WNYC: “A federal court in Brooklyn gave the green light to a redistricting lawsuit that could see a judge begin drawing state and congressional district lines.”

“Study: 1.8 Million Dead People Still Registered To Vote”

February 13, 2012, 10:05 pmelection administrationRick Hasen

NPR reports.

“Feds Circle Campaign Contribution Case Rife With Allegations Of Embezzling, Murder Threats”

February 13, 2012, 4:11 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

TPM: “Federal investigators have reportedly been handing down subpoenas in the case of a Nevada political operative who allegedly made illegal campaign contributions to politicians like Sen. Harry Reid, and who is also embroiled in a heated legal battle… Continue reading

Reply Briefs, Interim Map Proposals in Texas Redistricting Case

February 13, 2012, 4:07 pmredistricting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Lots of action at the Texas Redistricting blog, in anticipation of the upcoming hearing before the three-judge San Antonio federal court.

Another Nugget from Ken Vogel’s Super PAC Report—On Secret Money to Obama Super PAC

February 13, 2012, 4:04 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Vogel: While it had received $215,000 from an affiliated non-disclosing non-profit group called Priorities USA, the groups quietly moved on Friday to segregate their finances in an effort to shield Obama from additional criticism. Because of “all the questions that… Continue reading

“ACLU offers $1K for example of voter impersonation”

February 13, 2012, 3:45 pmelection administrationRick Hasen

MPR reports.

“Super PACs: Real life, or Comedy Central?”

February 13, 2012, 3:44 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Ken Vogel: “The law couldn’t be more clear: campaigns aren’t supposed to communicate strategy or coordinate spending with their super PAC supporters. And all the candidates claim they’re not doing anything wrong — Santorum insists super PACs don’t come… Continue reading