Monthly Archives: October 2014

“Congressional Candidates: No-Shows at Forum May Reflect Redistricting”

October 15, 2014, 11:23 amcampaign finance, redistrictingJustin Levitt

When a county group runs a forum for candidates whose districts split the county: In 2012, when the Florida Legislature redrew boundaries for the state’s 27 congressional districts, Polk County was split among four districts. Some members of the Polk… Continue reading

“Election 2014: State GOP Chair Alleges Democratic AG Candidate Violated Law”

October 15, 2014, 11:23 amThe Voting WarsJustin Levitt

More nonsense from Arkansas. I’m sure this has nothing to do with the Democratic party taking shots at the Republican candidate’s residency.

Washington Times Tackles Strawman

October 15, 2014, 11:22 amfraudulent fraud squad, residency, The Voting WarsJustin Levitt

Good for the Washington Times. They’ve once again proved that those who say “there’s absolutely no voter fraud” aren’t telling the truth. Never mind that no responsible observers are actually saying “there’s absolutely no voter fraud.” (Whether proposed measures address… Continue reading

“Renewal of the Establishment, Fueled by Money”

October 15, 2014, 11:21 amcampaign finance, political partiesJustin Levitt

Heath Brown, in The Hill, looks at fundraising and spending since Citizens United, and the impact on the party establishment.

*Required … May Not Be

October 15, 2014, 11:21 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionJustin Levitt

OpenSecrets and the Sunlight Foundation dig deep into the details of the FEC’s online forms.

Read Texas Voter ID Challengers’ Emergency #SCOTUS Application

October 15, 2014, 7:48 amelection administration, Supreme Court, The Voting Wars, voter id, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Here. [Revised document]

KY Electioneering Ban Struck Down

October 14, 2014, 6:18 pmelection administration, election law and constitutional lawJustin Levitt

Still more news from the courts. Kentucky’s ban on electioneering was struck down today. The ban extended 300 feet from the entrance to any building used for voting, and plaintiff John Russell originally brought suit to ensure that he… Continue reading

Citizens United Granted Temporary Exemption from Disclosure for Film

October 14, 2014, 6:16 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

Rick noted a few weeks ago that the federal trial court was “decidedly unimpressed with CU’s argument related to the media exemption.” Looks like the Tenth Circuit was more impressed. A panel today ordered that pending final disposition… Continue reading

“My One Minute of Campaign Finance Fame”

October 14, 2014, 6:15 pmcampaign finance, lobbyingJustin Levitt

More movie news. Ciara Torres-Spelliscy reviews “Pay 2 Play” and pay-to-play.

New Report on Outside Spending and Coordination Rules in State Elections

October 14, 2014, 6:15 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The NY Times editorial page takes note of a new Brennan Center report, looking at outside spending in state elections. The report places particular focus on the degree to which the outside spending is independent, coordination rules, and enforcement… Continue reading

Still More on Outside Spending

October 14, 2014, 6:14 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

In Superconnected 2014, Public Citizen reports that “at least 57 outside groups that can accept unlimited contributions [and that have spent $100,000 or more this cycle] have devoted all of their resources to supporting a single congressional candidate.” Public… Continue reading

“FEC Rulemakings Roil Agency, Critics”

October 14, 2014, 6:14 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

Eliza’s latest Rules of the Game.

“In Wisconsin, Dark Money Got a Mining Company What It Wanted”

October 14, 2014, 6:14 pmcampaign finance, lobbyingJustin Levitt

ProPublica and the Daily Beast track a mining company’s donations to conservative nonprofits lobbying and launching state legislative campaign ads operating to the company’s benefit. It’s not clear whether the story laments the lack of disclosure or the spending and… Continue reading