Monthly Archives: June 2013

Reactions to Shelby County: Richard Epstein

June 26, 2013, 7:48 pmVoting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Richard Epstein applauds the decision, taking on Rick Hasen’s NY Times op-ed, here: In his New York Times op-ed, “The Chief Justice’s Long Game,” Richard L. Hasen, a noted authority on voting rights, takes deep umbrage… Continue reading

Reactions to Shelby County: Morgan Kousser

June 26, 2013, 6:01 pmVoting Rights ActJustin Levitt

I’ve tried to make the case that the very process of bailout established a continuing connection between current conditions and the 2006 formula for section 4. Here, Morgan Kousser presents one of the alternative continuing connections, with detailed data showing… Continue reading

New voter ID suit in Texas

June 26, 2013, 2:31 pmvoter id, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Michael Li brings word of a new lawsuit filed this morning against Texas’s strict photo ID law, under the Constitution and section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Fret not, BigLaw, there’s still business for your pro bono.

Reactions to Shelby County: Nick Stephanopoulos

June 26, 2013, 2:28 pmVoting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Here, at HuffPo, discussing districts that were protected under section 5 but that may not be protected under section 2: In a dramatic decision yesterday, the Supreme Court essentially obliterated one of the two pillars of the Voting Rights… Continue reading

“Voting Rights Ruling a Blow to Big Firms’ Pro Bono Push”

June 26, 2013, 2:15 pmelection law biz, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

A fascinating angle on the impact of Shelby County … to BigLaw. There have been many Shelby County reaction pieces in the last two days. This is not one I saw coming.

“Supreme Court Gay Marriage Ruling Will Tighten Ethics And Campaign Finance Laws”

June 26, 2013, 2:14 pmcampaign finance, ethics investigationsJustin Levitt

Huff Po on the ethics and campaign finance impact of the DOMA ruling.

DOMA v. Shelby County v. Fisher

June 26, 2013, 2:13 pmSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Both Ari Berman and Dashiell Bennett find reason to question Justice Scalia’s extensive critique of the judiciary’s “jaw-dropping” disregard of its “respected co-ordinate branches” in today’s invalidation of a Congressional statute. To be clear, there was a serious issue of… Continue reading

The Shelby County SCOTUSblog commentary series

June 26, 2013, 2:12 pmVoting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Each of the entries in the SCOTUSblog commentary series on Shelby County is worth a look. The full series is up here, and I’m honored to have taken part: Rick Pildes Jeff Harris Ellen Katz Rick Hasen Ilya Shapiro Justin … Continue reading

The Slate “breakfast table” on Shelby County

June 26, 2013, 2:11 pmVoting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Everyone finds something not to like. Walter Dellinger Judge Richard Posner Emily Bazelon Eric Posner

“House panel to vote on whether IRS official waived her rights”

June 26, 2013, 2:11 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawJustin Levitt

Looks like the House Oversight Committee has scheduled a Friday vote on whether Lois Lerner waived her Fifth Amendment rights in her May 22 opening statement.

Automatic voter registration

June 26, 2013, 2:10 pmvoter registration, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Steven Hill, in the Atlantic, calls for states to enact automatic voter registration in the wake of Shelby County. The Oregon House, apparently, was listening. It passed this bill, empowering the Secretary of State to register individuals… Continue reading

“Supreme Court ruling sets stage for voter ID battle”

June 26, 2013, 2:10 pmvoter id, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Politico on Shelby County and photo ID. More on topic from Mississippi. The New Republic also has a piece on individuals seeking ID in South Carolina. Note: I don’t see a legal reason why yesterday’s decision should change South… Continue reading

“4 Effects of Voting Rights Ruling on 2014 Midterms”

June 26, 2013, 2:09 pmVoting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Shira Toeplitz at Roll Call looks at the impact of Shelby County on the next election cycle.

The Media Cycle and the Supreme Court

June 26, 2013, 2:09 pmSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Neil Siegel, here at Balkinization, continues the discussion of the timing of the Supreme Court’s end of term, and media reaction. He says: My experience has been that, as of 10 AM this morning, no one in the news… Continue reading