Monthly Archives: April 2013

“House erupts in showdown on voter’s rights”

April 25, 2013, 8:21 pmabsentee ballots, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

MySA.com: “The Texas House erupted Thursday into a partisan showdown over voting rights when the chamber’s Republicans muscled through a measure they argue will help crack down on mail-in voter fraud. Tensions flared on House floor for more than… Continue reading

Guilty Verdict in Indiana Petition Case involving 2008 Pres. Election

April 25, 2013, 8:04 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

South Bend Tribune: “Former St. Joseph County Democratic Party Chairman Owen “Butch” Morgan and party member Dustin Blythe were found guilty on all charges Thursday night, news reports indicated.….Dressed in an ill-fitting black suit and with his hair parted… Continue reading

“The Shadow Lobbyist”

April 25, 2013, 6:24 pmlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Tom Edsall: There has been a quiet upheaval in the lobbying industry. On the surface, the firms that represent thousands of businesses, trade associations and special interests are taking a beating. In practice, however, the lobbying industry is moving below… Continue reading

“Shareholder Protection Act Would Restore Responsible Governance to Corporate Political Spending Decisions”

April 25, 2013, 5:57 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Public Citizen has issued this press release.

“Improving Colorado’s Elections”

April 25, 2013, 5:55 pmelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Donetta Davidson and Joan Fitz-Gerald have writen this oped in the Denver Post.

Quote of the Day

April 25, 2013, 10:22 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

“Mr. Engle, sometimes the law’s an ass.” —FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub, quoted in Gay couples can’t make joint political donations from individual account, FEC rules. That piece begins: “A gay couple married under state law cannot give a joint contribution… Continue reading

“More than a decade after HAVA, it’s time to go shopping; Counties and states begin purchasing new voting equipment”

April 25, 2013, 9:17 amelection administration, voting technologyRick Hasen

That’s the lead story in this week’s Electionline Weekly.

In the Election Law Mailbag

April 25, 2013, 9:16 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Marcia Coyle, The Roberts Court: The Struggle for the Constitution (Part III of the book, which I very much look forward to reading, is “Money,” discussing the Supreme Court’s campaign finance cases) Laurence Leamer, the Price of Justice: A True … Continue reading

“Who’s The Boss? Arkansas, Florida Debate State Power to Discipline Local Election Officials”

April 25, 2013, 8:59 amelection administrationRick Hasen

A ChapinBlog.

“Does Stephen Colbert’s Endorsement of His Sister Violate Election Laws?”

April 25, 2013, 8:57 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

A Slate Explainer. I hope to write more about this soon.

“Shareholders Force Firms to Reveal Secret Political Funds”

April 25, 2013, 8:56 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Bloomberg reports.

“Redistricting Board asks Supreme Court to clarify ruling”

April 25, 2013, 8:50 amcitizen commissions, redistricting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Anchorage Daily News: “The Alaska Redistricting Board has gone once again to the Alaska Supreme Court, this time asking the justices to clarify whether an earlier ruling requires it to redraw all of Alaska’s legislative districts from scratch.” MORE:… Continue reading

“Constitutional Interpretation and Congressional Overrides: Changing Trends in Court-Congress Relations”

April 25, 2013, 8:48 amlegislation and legislatures, statutory interpretation, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Ryan Emenaker has posted this draft on SSRN. Here is the abstract: National policy is shaped through frequent interaction between the Court and Congress. The Court devotes the largest portion of its work to applying and interpreting congressional statutes. Congress… Continue reading