More from the Recall Elections Blog.
Monthly Archives: May 2013
“U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia’s staff chief implicated in ballot scheme”
Important Miami Herald report:
Congressman Joe Garcia’s chief of staff abruptly resigned Friday after being implicated in a sophisticated scheme to manipulate last year’s primary elections by submitting hundreds of fraudulent absentee-ballot requests.
Friday afternoon, Garcia said he had asked Jeffrey Garcia, no relation, for his resignation after the chief of staff — also the congressman’s top political strategist — took responsibility for the plot. Joe Garcia took the action hours after law enforcement investigators raided the homes of another of his employees and a former campaign aide in connection with an ongoing investigation.
I think it is time for Florida to reconsider the use of no-excuse absentee ballots.
D.C. Circuit Court Remands Federal Contractor Contribution Ban for Hearing Before En Banc DC Circuit
Via How Appealing comes this ruling.
“Did I get the money-and-politics debate all wrong?”
“Judge Scolds Alaska Redistricting Board”
ADN:
A Fairbanks judge gave a stern rebuke to the Alaska Redistricting Board, saying in a decision Thursday that it was not worthy of the trust placed in it by the courts and accusing it of acting in a “dilatory” and “disingenuous” manner.
Politifact Rates as “True” Mark Pocan Statement that U.S. Constitution Contains No Explicit Right to Vote
“Top Dem: Husted decision could ‘scare the hell’ out of voters”
“Retired Justice Warns Against ‘Politicians in Robes'”
Chicago Tribune report on speech by Justice O’Connor.
“For Obama’s ex-aides, it’s time to cash in on experience”
“Opinion: Don’t punish voters’ confusion”
Mike Brickner oped in Cincinnati Enquirer.
“IVP Initiative to Prohibit Taxpayer Funding of Partisan Elections”
The Independent Voter Project, authors of California’s new nonpartisan “Top-Two Open Primary” (Proposition 14), will be filing a new initiative with the California Secretary of State that will cut right to the core of partisan institutionalization.
The new initiative, which is undergoing preliminary drafting, would prohibit the use of public tax dollars for the purpose of funding partisan activities including, but not limited to, state political party central committees, partisan state conventions, reimbursement of travel or other expenses to party officials, and reimbursement for travel and other expenses for state officials or government employees for carrying out political party functions.
Additionally, IVP has begun the process of drafting a legal complaint — to be filed in federal court — challenging the constitutionality of using taxpayer funds to support such partisan activities. The basis of the lawsuit rests on the precedent established by political parties themselves, whereby parties have shielded themselves from higher standards of scrutiny based on their status as private organizations.
“Online Voter Registration”
New report from Project Vote.