Monthly Archives: September 2014

“Without Limits, Will Campaign Contributions Dominate Politics?”

September 4, 2014, 2:35 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

To the Point: There’s just nine weeks left before the mid-term elections—and there’s more money than ever for Senate and House campaigns. In April, Alabama businessman Shaun McCutcheon gave his name to a US Supreme Court decision to eliminate legal… Continue reading

“Kobach: Democrat Chad Taylor’s name will remain on ballot for U.S. Senate”

September 4, 2014, 2:29 pmballot accessRick Hasen

McClatchy reports: Taylor issued a statement saying that he had been assured by Assistant Secretary of State Brad Bryant that his letter was sufficient. Kobach denied that claim and also contended that Taylor should have read the statute himself.… Continue reading

Chad Taylor Says KS SOS Office Said in Advance His Letter Was Sufficient to Withdraw from #KSSEN

September 4, 2014, 12:35 pmcampaignsRick Hasen

Whoa if true, as they say. There are complicated issues about applying waiver and estoppel theories against the government. But if this ends up in court, I expect this fact would help an argument for withdrawal greatly. UPDATE: SOS… Continue reading

McDonnells Found Guilty of Corruption

September 4, 2014, 12:01 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

The results are not surprising, but it is not clear if they will be upheld on appeal. It all turns on what counts as official acts and corruption under the law. There are vagueness and First Amendment issues lurking here. … Continue reading

“Two Grand Juries Continuing Probe Into 2012 Iowa Payola Scandal”

September 4, 2014, 11:47 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Open Secrets reports.

Supreme Court to Hear Alabama Redistricting Cases Nov. 12

September 4, 2014, 11:45 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Calendar.

“House Leaders Urged to Publicly Commit to OCE’s Continued Existence in 114th Congress”

September 4, 2014, 11:43 amethics investigationsRick Hasen

CLC release.

“Ohio Early Voting Cuts Violate the Voting Rights Act”

September 4, 2014, 11:24 amelection administration, The Voting Wars, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Ari Berman writes for The Nation.

Even “Wealthy Doctors” Opposing 30-Year-Old Campaign Finance Law Entitled to Reasonable Attorneys Fees

September 4, 2014, 10:21 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Interesting 6th Circuit opinion.

“A deep dive into voting systems; Q&A with Wack and Keller of IEEE Voting Systems Standards Committee”

September 4, 2014, 10:15 amelection administration, voting technologyRick Hasen

That’s the lead story in this week’s Electionline Weekly.

“One Million Comments Urge the SEC to Stop Secret Corporate Political Spending”

September 4, 2014, 10:13 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

See this press release from Demos and the Corporate Reform Coalition. And see Demos’s letter to the SEC.

“Hasen Constitution Day Talk: ‘One Dollar, One Vote'”

September 4, 2014, 10:06 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Announcement: Richard Hasen will give the talk, “One Dollar, One Vote: Campaign Finance, Equality and the Supreme Court,” Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Forum of the Elaine Langone Center at Bucknell University. The talk, which is free… Continue reading

More on Whether Chad Taylor’s Withdrawal from #KSSEN is Kosher

September 4, 2014, 9:48 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

I earlier linked to coverage in The Hill and Hot Air which raises the question whether Democrat Chad Taylor’s withdrawal from the Kansas Senate race is allowed. The relevant statute, KS 25-306b(b) provides that a candidate can withdraw within a… Continue reading

Breaking News and Analysis: Federal Court Grants Injunction Restoring Early Voting in Ohio

September 4, 2014, 7:58 amelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter idRick Hasen

I have now had a chance to give an initial read the 71-page federal district court opinion in Ohio State Conference of the NAACP v. Husted. This is a significant case, which could potentially make it to the Supreme… Continue reading