Monthly Archives: February 2013

“The Federal Common Law of Statutory Interpretation: Erie for the Age of Statutes”

February 17, 2013, 4:04 pmlegislation and legislatures, statutory interpretation, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Abbe Gluck has posted this draft on SSRN (William & Mary Law Review). Here is the abstract: Modern statutory interpretation is a field dominated by court-created legal presumptions. Federal judges have created hundreds of default rules that range from subject-specific… Continue reading

“Redistricting didn’t win Republicans the House”

February 17, 2013, 2:51 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

John Sides and Eric McGhee: Neuroscientist and election forecaster Sam Wang recently added fuel to the fire, calling the 2012 outcome “The Great Gerrymander.” He identified 10 states, most of them controlled by Republicans, as notable and egregious deviations… Continue reading

Question of the Day

February 17, 2013, 11:13 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

How do those who hate super PACs but love gun control feel about how influential Mike Bloomberg has been in a contested congressional race in Illinois? Political Wire says some one reason a candidate is dropping out is the huge… Continue reading

More SCOTUSBlog on Shelby County

February 17, 2013, 11:09 amSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Zachary Price Hans von Spakovsky

“Virginia looks to toughen voter laws as Maryland does the opposite”

February 17, 2013, 11:03 amelection administrationRick Hasen

The Washington Examiner reports.

Democracy Now! Talks Bauer-Ginsberg Commission with NAACP’s Ben Jealous

February 17, 2013, 11:00 amelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Watch.

“Texas redistricting appeal likely on hold at Supreme Court”

February 16, 2013, 8:56 pmredistricting, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

The San Antonio Express-News reports.

A Peek at the Race Which Will Determine Partisan Balance of Wisconsin Supreme Court

February 16, 2013, 6:58 pmcampaigns, judicial electionsRick Hasen

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on round 1 of a two-round race: [The incumbent Justice] Roggensack has had the fundraising advantage in the race, raising more than $235,000 through early February. Fallone has raised about $80,000. Megna – who once said he planned… Continue reading

The Backstory on Allegations Against Sen. Menendez

February 16, 2013, 3:35 pmchicanery, ethics investigationsRick Hasen

Must-read NYT report.

“Congress’s committee chairman push to reassert their power”

February 16, 2013, 3:12 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Important, extensive WaPo report: The overarching demand is for “regular order.” which is congressional speak for how things are supposed to work — at least how things used to work. Their hopes are straight out of the old Schoolhouse Rock… Continue reading

“Obama Versus Campaign Finance Laws”

February 16, 2013, 1:00 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

John Wonderlich: There’s a certain conventional wisdom that President Obama wants stronger campaign finance laws, and to protect our democracy from the corrupting effects of money in politics. It’s a story that you should no longer believe.

“Voter ID law likely to be postponed until after May primary”

February 16, 2013, 12:55 pmelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter idRick Hasen

News from PA.

About All That Supposed Voter Fraud in Hamilton County, Ohio

February 16, 2013, 12:49 pmelection administration, fraudulent fraud squad, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Read this: A Hamilton County Board of Elections hearing on Friday into possible vote fraud last November produced no Perry Mason moments but plenty of evidence of voter confusion – not over for whom to vote, but how to vote…… Continue reading