Monthly Archives: August 2014

Latest on the McDonnell Trial

August 23, 2014, 6:17 ambriberyDan Tokaji

NYT, WSJ, and WaPo report on former Gov. McDonnell’s testimony Friday. According to Politico: “He’s trying to show that he was too busy — and too important — to have been deeply involved in trading official government… Continue reading

More on Florida Congressional Redistricting Decision

August 23, 2014, 5:52 amredistrictingDan Tokaji

NYT, Bloomberg, and Politico report on yesterday’s decision allowing the 2012 map to be used this year and upholding the new map drawn earlier this month. The Orlando Sentinel has reactions from candidates.

Federal Court Orders Do-Over in Arizona City Council Election

August 23, 2014, 5:38 amabsentee ballots, election administration, votingDan Tokaji

The TRO in Krieger v. Peoria arises from the inadvertent omission of one candidate’s name on the ballot for the August 26 primary, for which early voting began July 31. The court orders that any ballots cast in the August… Continue reading

“Scott Walker solicited money for conservative group, records show”

August 23, 2014, 5:20 amcampaign finance, recall electionsDan Tokaji

Wisconsin State Journal reports on the documents released yesterday by the Seventh Circuit, which reportedly show that Gov. Walker solicited millions of dollars for Wisconsin Club for Growth AP reports: Aides told Walker to tell donors that they could make… Continue reading

District Court Rules for Latino Plaintiffs in Yakima Vote Dilution Case

August 22, 2014, 5:01 pmVoting Rights ActDan Tokaji

The summary judgment order from U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice concludes that the city’s council districts violate Section 2 of the VRA and directs the parties to submit a joint proposed districting plan by October 3.

“Federal court releases more documents in probe into Wisconsin governor’s campaign”

August 22, 2014, 4:54 pmcampaign financeDan Tokaji

AP reports that the Seventh Circuit “released more than 1,300 pages linked to a secret investigation into whether Gov. Scott Walker’s recall campaign illegally coordinated with conservative groups.”

Breaking: “Judge OKs New Florida Congressional Map for 2016”

August 22, 2014, 2:37 pmredistrictingDan Tokaji

Roll Call reports: A state judge upheld the Florida legislature’s newly revised congressional map Friday, ruling the redrawn House districts should apply to the 2016 elections. “The 2014 elections will have to be held under the map as enacted… Continue reading

U.S. District Court Enjoins Maine Campaign Contribution Law

August 22, 2014, 1:26 pmcampaign financeDan Tokaji

From BAN. AP has this story on the preliminary injunction against the law, which restricts donations to independent gubernatorial candidates to $1500, half what can be given to candidates who run in party primaries and general elections.

ACLU Challenge to Hawaii County Election

August 22, 2014, 1:03 pmelection administration, votingDan Tokaji

From the press release announcing the complaint in Lathers v. Abercrombie: “A lawsuit filed Thursday, August 21 by Pahoa residents and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i Foundation (“ACLU”) asks the State Supreme Court to allow any registered voter… Continue reading

Reminder: AALS Election Law Section Call for Papers Deadline Is Two Weeks Away

August 22, 2014, 11:02 amelection law biz, Voting Rights ActDan Tokaji

The topic is the Voting Rights Act at 50. Here is the original announcement of the Call for Papers, which are due September 5. This will be the inaugural event of the Election Law Section, which you won’t wanna miss!

“Outside Group Mirrors Successful Strategies Of Political Parties”

August 22, 2014, 9:00 amcampaign finance, political partiesDan Tokaji

NPR’s Peter Overby has this report, focusing on AFP’s activities in Iowa.

CREW Challenges Dismissal of AAN and AJS Complaints

August 22, 2014, 8:22 amcampaign financeDan Tokaji

Citizens for Reponsibility and Ethics in Washington has brought a new case against the FEC, challenging its dismissal of administrative complaints against American Action Network (AAN) and Americans for Job Security (AJS). Reports here ($), here and here.

Cal. Legislature Approves Two Campaign Finance Disclosure Bills

August 22, 2014, 8:08 amcampaign financeDan Tokaji

California Public Radio has this report.

“Waning Influence, Part 2: Does Congressional Gridlock Lock Up K Street?”

August 22, 2014, 7:59 amlobbying, political polarizationDan Tokaji

CRP has this analysis of the relationship between lobbying spending and gridlock. A snippet: “[T]the notion that lobbying dollars might flow more freely when Congress is passing many bills, though plausible, is untested. In this report, the second in our … Continue reading