Monthly Archives: August 2013

Only in America

August 7, 2013, 8:44 pmpolitical parties, political polarization, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Texas defends itself against claims it discriminated against minority voters by claiming it discriminated against Democrats (p. 19): DOJ’s accusations of racial discrimination are baseless. In 2011, both houses of the Texas Legislature were controlled by large Republican majorities, and… Continue reading

“Libertarian Party of Colorado sues Secretary Gessler to allow nomination of Recall Successor Candidates”

August 7, 2013, 8:21 pmballot access, recall electionsRick Hasen

The following press release arrived via email: [update: read the complaint] Libertarian Party of Colorado sues Secretary Gessler to allow nomination of Recall Successor Candidates Denver, Colorado — The Libertarian Party of Colorado has filed suit today for emergency… Continue reading

Quote of the Day

August 7, 2013, 8:17 pmSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

“I had many people tell me after that ruling that they were so depressed, they couldn’t get out of bed…I told them to get up out the bed.” —Barbara Arnwine, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, speaking to … Continue reading

“Push for Satellite Voting Centers Intensifies”

August 7, 2013, 8:10 pmvotingRick Hasen

Rapid City Journal : Tribal-voting advocates are pressuring South Dakota Secretary of State Jason Gant to approve the release of federal funds for satellite voting centers to serve Native American voters in 2014. Four Directions Inc., a Native American voting… Continue reading

“Moderates Nearly Extinct in U.S. House”

August 7, 2013, 7:56 pmalternative voting systems, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

FairVote explains.

“Colorado’s Gun-Control Recall: The Canary in the Coal Mine for Reformers?”

August 7, 2013, 7:53 pmrecall electionsRick Hasen

Josh Spivak writes for The Atlantic.

Thursday’s Bauer-Ginsberg Commission Hearing in Denver to Be Webcast

August 7, 2013, 7:51 pmelection administrationRick Hasen

You can watch here. There is also the opportunity for public comment at these meetings and for the submission of election-related materials to the Commission through the Commission’s website.

“The IRS Scandal’s Inconsistencies”

August 7, 2013, 3:14 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Reps. Issa and Camp write this WaPo oped.

“Don’t Rush to Judgment on IRS-FEC E-Mails, Practitioners Say”

August 7, 2013, 2:48 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Tax Analysts reports.

FEC Chair Weintraub Asks FEC Inspector General to Investigate Any Improper IRS-FEC Targeting of Conservatives

August 7, 2013, 2:00 pmcampaign finance, federal election commission, UncategorizedRick Hasen

Read the letter. Chair Weintraub adds that she has seen no evidence of improper targeting.

Are Purely Partisan Election Laws Unconstitutional: Bans on Straight Ticket Voting

August 7, 2013, 12:32 pmUncategorizedRichard Pildes

A question lurking over many constitutional issues concerning election laws is how courts should address the “easiest,” core case of a law that can fairly be judged as purely partisan in purpose, without any legitimate public-regarding justification. Unless courts know… Continue reading

“Beyond the Discrimination Model on Voting”

August 7, 2013, 9:01 amElections Clause, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Sam Issacharoff has posted this draft on SSRN (forthcoming, Harvard L. Rev.). Here is the abstract: The Supreme Court’s contentious decision in Shelby County v. Holder closes the chapter on the most important and most successful of the civil rights… Continue reading

“Texas Fights New Voting Supervision”

August 7, 2013, 8:13 amSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Lyle Denniston: Mounting a strong counter-attack to attempts by the Obama administration and others to give federal courts new powers of supervision over Texas voting laws, officials of the Lone Star State have told a three-judge district court in… Continue reading