Monthly Archives: May 2012

“Big Money Corporate Spending in Elections May Lose in Supreme Court: Citizens United Ruling Faces Imminent Reversal”

May 28, 2012, 7:42 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Press release: “Citizens United, the controversial 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows for virtually unlimited corporate spending in state elections, may face an immediate effective reversal if the Court refuses, on 11th Amendment constitutional grounds, to hear a… Continue reading

Pildes on Bullock on Redistricting

May 27, 2012, 8:59 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Redistricting: The Most Political Activity in America. By Charles S. Bullock III. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2010. 234p. $79.00 cloth, $25.00 paper. Richard H. Pildes (2012). Perspectives on Politics,

“Michigan: McCotter Could Get Booted from the Ballot”

May 26, 2012, 4:43 pmballot access, campaigns, petition signature gatheringRick Hasen

Roll Call: “Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) is at risk of losing his place on the Aug. 7 primary ballot due to problems with his petition signatures, wreaking havoc on the GOP’s once secure hold on his seat.”

“Can State Laws Cohabit With Citizens United?”

May 26, 2012, 4:41 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Linc Caplan has this opinion piece in Sunday’s New York Times.

“D.C. Mayor’s Administration Mired In Scandal”

May 26, 2012, 2:39 pmchicaneryRick Hasen

NPR: “Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray was elected to office on a platform of anti-corruption. But just two years into his term, a federal investigation has left two former aides pleading guilty to misdeeds during the 2010 election. Gray… Continue reading

“Last filing on campaign finance”

May 26, 2012, 1:54 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Lyle Denniston: “Acting quickly and setting the stage for the Supreme Court to act next month, challengers of a Montana law limiting corporations’ spending to influence state elections mailed their reply brief to the Court on Friday. Among other… Continue reading

Election Law Academics Update

May 26, 2012, 10:01 amelection law bizRick Hasen

Here’s my yearly roundup of election law academic hires, promotions moves, visits, accolades. Micah Altman joined MIT Libraries as Director of Research. Guy Charles (Duke) was named the Charles S. Rhyne Professor of Law. Chris Elmendorf decided to remain… Continue reading

“How Did Wisconsin Become the Most Politically Divisive Place in America?”

May 26, 2012, 9:40 ampolitical polarization, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Extensive NYT magazine piece. The author discusses ALEC’s role in the anti-union bill, among other things.

“With a Bipartisan Flurry, Becoming a Do-Something Senate”

May 26, 2012, 9:34 amlegislation and legislatures, political polarizationRick Hasen

Interesting.

“Billionaire Finds New Role in Effort to Defeat Obama”

May 26, 2012, 9:33 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT reports.

“Sen. Tom Coburn admonished for helping former John Ensign aide”

May 26, 2012, 9:32 amchicanery, conflict of interest laws, ethics investigations, lobbyingRick Hasen

WaPo: “The ethics panel focused its ‘qualified admonition’ on Coburn for his role in helping Hampton’s work as a lobbyist during the one-year period after leaving Ensign’s office, when he was still legally forbidden from lobbying the Senate.”

“John Edwards trial: Alternate jurors — all in red — are talk of the courtroom”

May 26, 2012, 9:28 amelection law "humor", John EdwardsRick Hasen

Bizarre: “Something exceedingly strange is happening at the John Edwards trial: all four alternate jurors dressed in red shirts Friday. They each wore bright yellow the day before. Coincidence? Few here think so. he demeanor of the alternate… Continue reading