Monthly Archives: October 2012

With All of the Articles Now Appearing About How Conservative the Supreme Court Would Be Under a President Romney….

October 26, 2012, 9:22 amSupreme CourtRick Hasen

I thought it time to dust off my 2010 Slate piece, Scalia’s Retirement Party: Kennedy and the Court’s four stalwart conservatives—Alito, Roberts, Scalia, and Thomas—will almost certainly remain through Obama’s first term. But things get much more uncertain after… Continue reading

Federal Judge in Ohio Issues Opinion Requiring More Provisional Ballots to Be Counted

October 26, 2012, 9:13 amelection administration, provisional ballots, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

On Wednesday I noted that a federal district court, in the SEIU case on remand from the Sixth Circuit, has expanded the number of provisional ballots which Ohio must count because of poll worker error to include ballots cast by… Continue reading

“Campaigns Brace for ‘Frankenstorm’”

October 26, 2012, 8:51 amcampaignsRick Hasen

Think of how much worse this would be for the election if it were coming a week later.

A “Status Quo Election?” Not Really: The Loss of Senate Moderates

October 26, 2012, 8:23 amlegislation and legislatures, political polarizationRick Hasen

Aaron Blake explores the (I believe strong) possibility that we’ll continue to have President Obama, a Democratic Senate, and a Republican House after election day. He calls that a “status quo election.” I don’t think that’s right. The Senate is… Continue reading

“Blocking the Vote”

October 26, 2012, 8:14 amThe Voting WarsRick Hasen

NYT editorial calls for federal investigation of Sproul’s activities.

“Obama, Romney and Their Parties on Track to Raise $2 Billion”

October 26, 2012, 8:13 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT reports.

“Texas AG Continues Spat over International Election Monitors with ‘Bring It’ Tweet”

October 26, 2012, 8:11 amelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

ABA Journal reports.

“Will Voter Suppression Tactics Threaten Free and Fair Elections?”

October 26, 2012, 8:08 amThe Voting WarsRick Hasen

This item appears at PR Watch.

“Outside Money in the House: Six Graphs and Seven Takeaways”

October 26, 2012, 8:05 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Sunlight: “We are now at $218.8 million in House outside spending, with almost one-third of that money coming in the last 10 days, and more than half of it coming since October 1. Republicans lead in outside money $119.6 million… Continue reading

Interesting Federal-State Court Dispute in Question Over Montana Campaign Contribution

October 26, 2012, 8:03 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

I expect the federal courts will ultimately prevail, but we will see. And I shouldn’t bury the lede: the $500K to the Republican candidate came from the Republican Governors Association.

“Hearing set on $11-million election donation from Arizona nonprofit”

October 26, 2012, 8:01 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

LA Times: “The next round in the legal battle over an $11-million donation from an Arizona nonprofit will be fought Tuesday. A Superior Court judge in Sacramento set the date after a brief hearing Thursday. The Fair Political Practices… Continue reading

“2012 Judicial Campaign Spending Exceeds $13 Million, Surpasses 2010”

October 26, 2012, 7:57 amcampaign finance, campaigns, judicial electionsRick Hasen

See this press release.

“Treasury Says Firm Discussed Tax Break”

October 26, 2012, 7:50 amconflict of interest laws, lobbyingRick Hasen

NYT: “The Treasury Department said Thursday that a communications firm with close ties to President Obama talked to the administration about allowing tax breaks for its corporate clients on more than $1 trillion in offshore revenues.”

“Paul Ryan’s ‘Problematic’ RNC Spending Spree”

October 26, 2012, 7:47 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Politicker: “A Politicker examination of federal campaign finance disclosure reports submitted by Paul Ryan’s congressional campaign has uncovered indications Mr. Ryan may have improperly used funds raised for his re-election effort in Wisconsin for presidential campaign activities at the… Continue reading