Monthly Archives: August 2012

“Texas A.G. is positioned to become point man on historic challenge to voting law”

August 19, 2012, 9:33 pmSupreme Court, voter id, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Austin American-Statesman: With his signature on the Voting Rights Act of 1965, President Lyndon Johnson, a Democrat from Texas, outlawed discriminatory election practices that had been adopted in many southern states including Texas. Now, almost half a century later,… Continue reading

“Ohio Republican Stands By Jab At Black Turnout “Machine””

August 19, 2012, 5:11 pmelection administration, The Voting Wars, votingRick Hasen

BuzzFreed reports.

“New election laws show partisan wrangling for votes – by both parties”

August 19, 2012, 5:09 pmelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

The Hill reports.

Quote of the Week

August 19, 2012, 11:25 amelection administration, The Voting Wars, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

“I guess I really actually feel we shouldn’t contort the voting process to accommodate the urban — read African-American — voter-turnout machine…Let’s be fair and reasonable.” —Doug Preisse, “chairman of the [Franklin] county Republican Party and elections board member… Continue reading

Must-read ProPublica Report on 501c4 Election Spending

August 19, 2012, 11:19 amcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

ProPublica: An investigation by ProPublica, drawing on documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Election Commission, offers the most detailed picture to date of how 501(c)(4) groups have used their tax status for purposes likely never… Continue reading

“Military voters as political pawns”

August 18, 2012, 4:08 pmabsentee ballots, Bush v. Gore reflections, election administration, military voting, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

I have written this cover piece for the Sunday San Diego Union-Tribune opinion section. It begins: It’s the election season, and the battle for the presidency and control of Congress is being fought not just through voter registration drives, endless… Continue reading

“Will the Real Bob Baker Please Stand Up?”

August 18, 2012, 3:39 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Interesting press release via email: SAN CLEMENTE CITY COUNCILMEMBER BOB BAKER TAKES ISSUE WITH BALLOT POSITIONING SHENANIGANS Incumbent Councilmember “Bob Baker 1” Says Sham Challenger “Bob Baker 0” Gamed the System To Gain an Unfair Advantage. Robert “Bob” Baker (“Bob… Continue reading

“Donor against marriage amendment will remain unnamed”

August 18, 2012, 3:35 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Star-Tribune: “The state campaign finance board decided Friday that a marriage amendment contributor who works for a Catholic organization can remain anonymous out of fear that disclosure of his donation to a group opposing the measure could cost him… Continue reading

“Extra voting hours? That’ll be $406 an hour, please”

August 18, 2012, 3:31 pmabsentee ballots, election administration, The Voting Wars, votingRick Hasen

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

“Reformers or Intimidators? Fee Demands Out of Line”

August 18, 2012, 3:26 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

Tom Elias has this column in the Santa Monica Mirror.

“Will the Next Election Be Hacked? Online voting is on the rise, but experts see it as a nightmare for the integrity of the electoral process”

August 18, 2012, 3:14 pmThe Voting Wars, voting technologyRick Hasen

This article in the Wall Street Journal begins, as Chapter 6 of The Voting Wars begins: with the Michigan Fight Song (“Hail to the Victors”) playing through the D.C. Board of Elections Computers: Go Blue!

“Will the Voting Rules Affect Which Candidate Wins?”

August 18, 2012, 3:08 pmelection administration, provisional ballots, The Voting Wars, votingRick Hasen

Ned Foley blogs on Florida v. U.S. and SEIU v. Husted. His conclusion: “The Ohio law of provisional voting, however, presents another story. That law, as interpreted by the state’s supreme court, truly could disenfranchise enough valid voters to tip… Continue reading

“Mitt Romney’s tax returns: the ‘voter fraud’ theory”

August 17, 2012, 9:01 pmresidencyRick Hasen

The Guardian reports with the subhead: “There has been much speculation about why Romney refuses to disclose earlier tax returns. Could it be as simple as an address?”