Monthly Archives: December 2012

A Cry for Help at the FEC?

December 20, 2012, 4:34 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

A knowledgeable reader points me to this item on today’s FEC meeting agenda asking for public comment on certain aspects of the FEC’s enforcement process. (The request for public comment was approved 4-2.) The reader writes: “I see it as… Continue reading

“House Rs Resurrect Congressional-Based Electoral College Plan”

December 20, 2012, 4:27 pmelectoral collegeRick Hasen

Politics PA reports.

Remembering Obama the Election Reformer

December 20, 2012, 4:14 pmelection administrationRick Hasen

FairVote reminisces.

Then and Now

December 20, 2012, 4:13 pmelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

A reader writes: How times change: FLASHBACK: In 2011, then-State Senator Mike Bennett was a major supporter of HB1355, Florida’s controversial election law which (among other things) cut back on early voting. Bennett famously said during the debates over… Continue reading

“Politico’s Dave Levinthal joins Center for Public Integrity”

December 20, 2012, 4:11 pmelection law bizRick Hasen

Great news for CPI, which has been doing great work on campaign disclosure issues.

“The Myth of State Autonomy: Federalism, Political Parties, and the National Colonization of State Politics”

December 20, 2012, 4:08 pmpolitical partiesRick Hasen

Jim Gardner has posted this draft on SSRN. Here is the abstract: American federalism contemplates that states will retain a significant degree of autonomy so that state power can serve as a meaningful counterweight to national power. It is often… Continue reading

Pew Data Dispatch about Provisional Ballots in Maricopa County, AZ

December 20, 2012, 4:06 pmelection administration, provisional ballots, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Here.

Controversial George Will Column on Nonvoting

December 20, 2012, 4:04 pmelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

George Will: The poet Carl Sandburg supposedly was asked by a young playwright to attend a rehearsal. Sandburg did but fell asleep. The playwright exclaimed, “How could you sleep when you knew I wanted your opinion?” Sandburg replied, “Sleep isan… Continue reading

“FEC & DOJ Complaints Filed Against ‘Straw Companies’ that Funneled $12 million to FreedomWorks Super PAC”

December 20, 2012, 4:00 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

See this press release.

“A voter’s-eye view of Election Day 2012; Despite well-publicized problems, overall voters satisfied with process”

December 20, 2012, 3:59 pmelection administrationRick Hasen

Charles Stewart leads off this week’s Electionline Weekly.

“Fundraising starts up soon after election, filings show”

December 20, 2012, 3:56 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

Interesting Perspectives on Politics Issue

December 20, 2012, 3:50 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

Paul Gronke writes: “The most recent issue of Perspectives on Politics is a theme issue about the role of elections and other democratic institutions in non-democratic nations (authoritarian and autocratic regimes). The issue has very rich content, including original research… Continue reading

The NRA and Lobbying/Campaign Finance Reform

December 19, 2012, 8:49 pmcampaign finance, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Former Bush ethics czar Richard Painter pens an interesting NYT oped: Republican politicians must free themselves from the N.R.A. protection racket and others like it. For starters, the party establishment should refuse to endorse anyone who runs in a… Continue reading