Monthly Archives: July 2015

“Walker office operating as if proposed open records exemptions are law”

July 6, 2015, 7:29 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

JS Online: Gov. Scott Walker announced over the weekend that Republicans would not create new exceptions to the state’s open records law, but for months the all-but-certain presidential candidate has been operating as if the exemptions were already in… Continue reading

Are Conservatives Looking to Win in Evenwel to Rehabilitate Chief Justice Roberts’ Conservative Reputation?

July 6, 2015, 7:22 amSupreme CourtRick Hasen

Apparently, a ruling in favor of challengers in the one person, one vote case, ending affirmative action in education, and a death knell for public sector unions might do it, though some think the Chief is beyond hope.

“Harper vs. Canada case a precedent to protect Fair Elections Act, lawyer argues”

July 6, 2015, 7:18 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

CBC News reports. So sad that we’ve exported the Voting Wars to Canada.

Nina Totenberg on Justice Scalia’s Rhetoric

July 6, 2015, 7:14 amSupreme CourtRick Hasen

In her NPR review of the Court’s term: The outcomes this term were so much of a turnaround that the liberal justices looked positively serene, even perky, in June, while the tone of the conservative dissents was unusually harsh. “The… Continue reading

“Democrats Make Advances, but House Still Proves Elusive”

July 6, 2015, 7:11 amlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarization, redistrictingRick Hasen

John Harwood NYT: From one vantage point, recent advances on race, gay rights and health care give the impression of powerful momentum for America’s liberal Democrats. But inside one of Washington’s power centers, they are running straight into a wall… Continue reading

“Politics Ain’t Broke, So Reforms Won’t Fix It”

July 6, 2015, 7:07 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Jeff Milyo in the Wash Examiner: The national pastime is not baseball. Americans have a far more enduring passion for grumbling about politics and the venality of politicians. This is probably quite healthy. After all, demagogues and their schemes may… Continue reading

“Scott Walker, legislative leaders drop open records changes”

July 5, 2015, 8:48 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

Wisconsin State Journal: In the face of withering criticism, Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican leaders of the Legislature announced Saturday that a provision added to the state budget to gut the open records law “will be removed from the… Continue reading

“I.R.S. Expected to Stand Aside as Nonprofits Increase Role in 2016 Race”

July 5, 2015, 8:36 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Eric Lichtblau for the NYT: As presidential candidates find new ways to exploit secret donations from tax-exempt groups, hobbled regulators at the Internal Revenue Service appear certain to delay trying to curb widespread abuses at nonprofits until after the 2016… Continue reading

“Facing a Selfie Election, Presidential Hopefuls Grin and Bear It”

July 5, 2015, 8:34 pmcampaignsRick Hasen

Kissing babies out. Selfie sticks in, reports the NYT.

Big Voter ID Fight in Canada as Government Takes Position Voter ID Cards Not Good Enough as ID

July 5, 2015, 8:32 pmelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter idRick Hasen

The Star reports.

“Voting Rights Bill Would Address, Not Invalidate TX Law”

July 5, 2015, 8:29 pmVoting Rights Act, VRAARick Hasen

Texas Tribune: A voting rights bill introduced in Congress last week would subject Texas elections to new levels of federal scrutiny, but it would not invalidate the state’s controversial 2011 voter photo ID law that helped inspire it…. Asked… Continue reading

“States are ignoring federal law about voter registration. Here’s why.”

July 5, 2015, 8:26 pmelection administration, NVRA (motor voter)Rick Hasen

Douglas Hess for The Monkey Cage.

“Accusations fly as NC House changes course on Greensboro redistricting”

July 5, 2015, 8:22 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

News and Observer: After a heated debate that featured accusations of deception and Senate coercion, the N.C. House rapidly changed course Thursday on legislation that would change how the Greensboro City Council is elected. The bill – now a… Continue reading