Monthly Archives: July 2013

Von Spakovsky, J. Christian Adams Testifying About Shelby County and VRA at House Hearing Tomorrow

July 17, 2013, 3:12 pmfraudulent fraud squad, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

For those expecting compromise and a bipartisan spirit to fix Voting Rights Act section 5 coming out of tomorrow’s hearing, fuhgeddaboutit! (Bob Kengle and Spencer Overton are the Democratic-called witnesses.) Ari Melber says don’t be a naysayer about a… Continue reading

“Senate is acting on the Voting Rights Act”

July 17, 2013, 2:33 pmSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Ari Melber is not a naysayer (video).

Given the Secret Ballot, How Do Vote Buyers Make Sure Bought Voters Stay Bought?

July 17, 2013, 2:30 pmUncategorizedRichard Pildes

The secret ballot makes vote buying more difficult: how can the buyer be sure the voter actually votes for the candidate he has been paid to support? Out of Kentucky, here is the description from yesterday’s Sixth Circuit opinion (see… Continue reading

“Key GOP lawmaker warns of ‘last chance’ to fix key section of Voting Rights Act”

July 17, 2013, 1:19 pmSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Tom Curry reports for NBC News.

“Republican presiding over VRA hearing once claimed blacks better off under slavery”

July 17, 2013, 1:14 pmSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Adam Serwer reports for MSNBC.

The Chances of a Deal to Fix the VRA After Shelby County? Observations about the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

July 17, 2013, 12:34 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarization, The Voting Wars, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

I had a chance to watch a good part of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today. It makes me more pessimistic about the chances of a deal to improve the Voting Rights Act after the Supreme Court effectively gutted section… Continue reading

Are George W. Bush and Barack Obama The Most Partisan Presidents in Decades?

July 17, 2013, 11:14 amUncategorizedRichard Pildes

My answer is: of course not. But if you look at polling data, you might answer yes. For they certainly appear to be the most polarizing presidents in decades. That is, they do polarize citizens by the latter’s partisan affiliations… Continue reading

“Exclusive: California Grand Jury Probing Shadowy Money Groups”

July 17, 2013, 10:58 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

The Daily Beast reports.

David Jefferson on College Vote Hack

July 17, 2013, 10:00 aminternet voting, voting technologyRick Hasen

David Jefferson sends along these observation: I just read Doug Chapin’s article on the vote rigging at Cal State San Marcos, and I would add several observations. Had this been a public election conducted via Internet voting, it would have… Continue reading

Justin Levitt, Mike Carvin, Luz Urbáez Weinberg Added to Today’s Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Shelby County

July 17, 2013, 9:05 amSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Watch the webcast live beginning at 1 pm eastern.

“Pennsylvania [Corrected] Defends Law on ID for Voters”

July 17, 2013, 9:02 amVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

NYT reports.

Is Voting Rights Act Section 2 in Constitutional Danger from the Supreme Court?

July 17, 2013, 9:00 amVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

Will Baude raises the question in light of Shelby County. I address this issue briefly in my APSA paper, Shelby County and the Illusion of Minimalism. My bottom line is yes, Section 2 is in danger of being struck… Continue reading

“IRS Chief Counsel Office Sought Information on 2010 Election Activity of Tea Party Applicants, House Leaders Say”

July 17, 2013, 8:55 amcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Bloomberg BNA breaking news report on this letter.

“Judicial panel strikes down Indianapolis City-County Council redistricting plan”

July 17, 2013, 8:51 amredistrictingRick Hasen

IndyStar: A Marion Superior Court judicial panel has struck down a redistricting ordinance drawn up by City-County Council Republicans in late 2011 and signed into law by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard just as Democrats took majority control of the… Continue reading

Election Law Blog

The law of politics and the politics of law