Monthly Archives: May 2013

“Scott Gessler Repays State for Political Trip”

May 23, 2013, 12:58 pmThe Voting WarsRick Hasen

Denver Post: Secretary of State Gessler filed paperwork to run for governor on Thursday, two days after reimbursing the state nearly $1,300 for a political trip to Florida last year. His political director, Rory McShane, said Gessler’s decision to reimburse… Continue reading

“IRS and Scrutiny: Reviewing Review | Commentary”

May 23, 2013, 12:37 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Ellen Aprill: IRS employees who review applications for exemption have a duty to ask follow-up questions of applicants, including groups affiliated with the tea party. In the current controversy, IRS reviewers wrongly singled out conservative groups for unusually exacting follow-up.… Continue reading

Little Fraud, No Vote Suppression Found in Ohio 2012 Vote

May 23, 2013, 12:29 pmelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

See here. You wouldn’t know it if you listened to the partisan media.

“Husted: voter fraud exists, not an epidemic”

May 23, 2013, 8:43 amelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

The Columbus Dispatch reports.

“Heads Won’t Roll at IRS”

May 23, 2013, 8:42 amcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Politico reports.

“GOP’s Switch on Financial Disclosure Wins Gold Medal in Hypocrisy Olympics”

May 23, 2013, 8:41 amcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Norm Ornstein opinion piece for National Journal, with the subhead: “The IRS scandal evolved from the broader reality that the GOP has changed its financing mantra from ‘disclosure’ to ‘secrecy.'”

Election Law Academics Update

May 23, 2013, 7:52 amelection law bizRick Hasen

Here’s my yearly roundup of election law academic hires, promotions moves, visits, accolades. Mark Alexander, Guy Charles, Kareem Crayton, Spencer Overton, and Ciara Torres-Spelliscy were included in the Lawyers of Color 50 under 50 list (most… Continue reading

“Kill Bill”

May 23, 2013, 7:33 amcampaign finance, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Tom Edsall reviews the literature on lobbying and rent-seeking for corporations. (I cover more of this in some detail in this Stanford Law Review article).

“Stephen Colbert on the IRS scandal (VIDEO)”

May 23, 2013, 7:29 amcampaign finance, election law "humor", tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Via WaPo.

“Insurers feel pressure from health group with ties to White House”

May 23, 2013, 7:27 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

The Hill: The links between a nonprofit promoting President Obama’s healthcare law and the White House have created an “air of expectation” that insurers will contribute to the group, according to an insurance industry official. Current and former administration officials… Continue reading

“Donors Urge Cuomo to Press for Public Financing of State Campaigns”

May 23, 2013, 7:25 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT reports.

“Florida Enacts Election Law to Ease Long Voter Lines”

May 23, 2013, 7:24 amelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

McClatchy: Gov. Rick Scott has finished the fix of the flawed election law that relegated Florida to a late-night joke in 2012 by signing an elections clean-up bill passed on the final day of the legislative session. The measure,… Continue reading

“Appeals court shields lawmakers from testifying, showing draft maps in redistricting lawsuit”

May 23, 2013, 7:20 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Orlando Sentinel: “A divided appeals court ruled Wednesday that Florida legislators should not be questioned under oath about whether they ‘intended’ to gain partisan advantage when they re-drew congressional maps last year.”

“McCain Looks to Defuse ‘Nuclear’ Threat”

May 23, 2013, 7:18 amlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Roll Call: Sen. John McCain finds himself once again pushing his colleagues to avoid giving fodder to Democrats seeking to use the “nuclear option” to change Senate rules with a simple majority. The Arizona Republican’s latest endeavor is to persuade… Continue reading