Monthly Archives: March 2014

1/3 of Justice Stevens’ Proposed Constitutional Amendments Concern Election Law

March 4, 2014, 9:13 amcampaign finance, redistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Josh Blackman lists the Six Amendments from Justice Stevens forthcoming book and two involve election law: Political Gerrymandering – Districts represented by members of Congress, or by members of any state legislative body, shall be compact and composed of… Continue reading

Ohio AG Files 2 Briefs–On Opposite Sides–in SCOTUS False Speech Case

March 4, 2014, 7:31 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Yesterday I linked to an article about Ohio SG Mike DeWine filing a brief against the constitutionality of Ohio’s false campaign speech law. On Twitter, I noted that DeWine seemed to be following in the footsteps of Eric Holder and… Continue reading

“2011-2012 Ballot Measure Overview”

March 4, 2014, 7:21 amcampaign finance, direct democracyRick Hasen

Here, at the National Institute on Money in State Politics.

“SW Indiana county finds 3,700 uncounted 2012 votes”

March 3, 2014, 8:41 pmelection administrationRick Hasen

Oops!

“Email shows Lerner seeking deal with Issa”

March 3, 2014, 4:32 pmtax law and election lawRick Hasen

The Hill reports.

“State election law violates First Amendment, DeWine says”

March 3, 2014, 3:25 pmcampaigns, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Columbus Dispatch: “In a highly unusual move, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine yesterday told the U.S. Supreme Court that the state’s election law banning candidates from making false statements with malice violates the Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of speech.”

“David Curtis, Green Party Candidate for CA Sec. of State, Strongly Supports Internet Voting”

March 3, 2014, 2:21 pmelection administration, internet voting, voting technologyRick Hasen

Brad Blog interview.

“Proposed Voter Bill of Rights ballot item refiled”

March 3, 2014, 2:05 pmdirect democracy, election administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Cincinnati Enquirer: “The group of African-American leaders pushing the inclusion of a Voters Bill of Rights in the Ohio Constitution has revised its amendment summary and submitted new signatures after Attorney General Mike DeWine rejected their initial attempt to… Continue reading

Larry Tribe: Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United a Probable Dead End

March 3, 2014, 12:49 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Interview with Ron Collins: Question: As you know, this term the Court heard yet another campaign finance case, McCutcheon v. FEC. I gather you favor a constitutional amendment to curb what you see as the Court’s constitutional excesses… Continue reading

“IRS hit from all political stripes on nonprofit rules”

March 3, 2014, 12:48 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Politico reports.

Curious Way to Try to Influence Supreme Court Justices: Insult Them

March 3, 2014, 12:06 pmSupreme CourtRick Hasen

Footnote 15 of the Cato amicus brief in the Susan B. Anthony case (see my earlier coverage) looks like a direct insult to the Chief Justice: Driehaus voted for Obamacare, which the Susan B. Anthony List said was the… Continue reading

“The Mythology of Super PACs: Much Ado About (Almost) Nothing”

March 3, 2014, 11:09 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Rob Kelner has written these remarks published in the Willamette Law Review. A snippet: Conventional wisdom ascribed to Super PACs the power to let special interests and plutocrats buy the election. Super PACs were also expected to raise and spend… Continue reading

“The Last Days of Disco: Why the American Political System is Dysfunctional”

March 3, 2014, 11:00 amlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Jack Balkin has posted this draft on SSRN (Boston U. Law Review). Here is the abstract: Today, America’s political system seems remarkably dysfunctional. Many people believe that our 225-year-old Constitution is the problem. But what looks like constitutional dysfunction is… Continue reading

“[A]mici and their counsel, family members, and pets have all won the Congressional Medal of Honor”

March 3, 2014, 10:42 amcampaignsRick Hasen

Above the Law flags what it says may be the best amicus brief ever in the Susan B. Anthony false speech case. The brief is written by Ilya Shapiro for Cato and others, including humorist P.J. O’Rourke. I’m doubting the… Continue reading