Monthly Archives: October 2014

“In Defense of Private Civic Engagement”

October 17, 2014, 10:29 amcampaign financeJustin Levitt

Nick Dranias, in turn, looks into a right to anonymity. The right to private civic engagement — the right to participate in politics confidentially as an individual or in association with others — is under assault as the product… Continue reading

The “Esquire” Commission to Fix Congress

October 16, 2014, 3:02 pmpolitical polarizationJustin Levitt

I’m not kidding. Tom Daschle, Trent Lott, Bob Livingston, Barney Frank, Alan Frumin, Lawrence O’Donnell. Gentlemen of distinction, all. With “22 simple reforms that could #fixcongress right now.”

“Voter ID Firebrand Takes a Low-Profile Kansas Office Out of the Shadows”

October 16, 2014, 2:58 pmelection administrationJustin Levitt

The New York Times profiles Sec. Kris Kobach.

“Phila. Ethics Board Tightens Campaign-Finance Rules”

October 16, 2014, 2:57 pmcampaign finance, UncategorizedJustin Levitt

Philadelphia municipal rules now consider the reuse of campaign-produced materials to be an in-kind contribution. You might remember this controversy from such episodes as #McConnelling.

“Voter ID Facts and Motivation: Easterbrook v. Posner”

October 16, 2014, 2:52 pmelection administration, election law and constitutional law, The Voting Wars, voter idJustin Levitt

Bauer finds the difference between Judges Easterbrook and Posner (and the difference between Crawford and the instant Wisconsin struggle) to be their consideration of legislative motive. Maybe. But I think there’s (perhaps also) a difference between the quality of the… Continue reading

“40,000 Voter-Registration Applications Submitted by Blacks and Hispanics Disappear in Ga.”

October 16, 2014, 2:44 pmelection administration, voter registrationJustin Levitt

The Root covers the curious case of missing voter registration forms in Georgia.

“As Courts Debate Voter ID, Election Workers Prepare for Both Outcomes”

October 16, 2014, 2:43 pmelection administration, Supreme Court, The Voting Wars, voter idJustin Levitt

And Texas election officials are hedging their bets.

Robocalls Out in WI: Bring Your ID

October 16, 2014, 2:42 pmelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter idJustin Levitt

Sometimes it takes a while to bring the ship around. The Wisconsin ID law may be enjoined for this election, but not everyone’s got the message just yet.

Money in Politics 2030: Toward a New Jurisprudence

October 16, 2014, 2:07 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

I had the great honor to participate in this exceptional campaign finance symposium in May. The NYU Law Review has now published papers associated with the symposium, online. My own contribution reflects on the electoral integrity concept behind Robert Post’s… Continue reading

7th Circuit Stays Mandate: WI ID Law Formally Blocked for This Election

October 16, 2014, 2:07 pmelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter idJustin Levitt

Close watchers of the fight over Wisconsin’s ID law noted last week that there was a slight procedural hiccup. The trial court issued a permanent injunction blocking the ID law. That decision was then stayed by the 7th Circuit;… Continue reading

“Keep Hands Off the GAB”

October 16, 2014, 2:06 pmelection administrationJustin Levitt

Speaking of Wisconsin, Barry Burden, David Canon, Kenneth Mayer, and Donald Moynihan defend Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board, the regulatory body of former judges overseeing state elections, against legislative attack. Yes, it’s not directly accountable to the public or incumbent… Continue reading

“Why Control of the Senate Likely Won’t be Decided on Election Day.”

October 16, 2014, 2:05 pmelection administration, recountsJustin Levitt

It’s apparently never too early to talk about overtime.

“Ads in U.S. Senate Contests Turn Nasty”

October 16, 2014, 2:05 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The Center for Public Integrity notes that we’re getting more negative ads as the election gets closer – and it’s not all (indeed, not even mostly) from outside spenders.