Monthly Archives: August 2015

“When Does a Candidate Become a Candidate?”

August 13, 2015, 7:30 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Brad Smith for the Daily Caller: CLC wants the FEC to undertake a “fact-based” investigation to determine the moment that Jeb Bush and others became “actual” candidates, or began “testing the waters.” If that approach were the law, there would… Continue reading

“Conservatives Beware: The Speech Police Are Coming For You”

August 13, 2015, 7:25 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Paul Jossey writes for The Federalist.

“Nine Years Ago, Republicans Favored Voting Rights. What Happened?”

August 12, 2015, 7:08 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

Jim Rutenberg follow up for NYT magazine. As with Rutenberg’s earlier piece, I think this one really misses the partisan element of the story, suggesting this Republican opposition is really all motivated by race. I make that claim that the… Continue reading

McCaskill Spokeswoman Says Allegation of Illegal Coordinating “Dumb”

August 12, 2015, 3:27 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Dave Helling: A McCaskill spokeswoman said any allegation of impropriety is dumb. “A candidate is always free to give another candidate advice,” she wrote. I don’t think it’s that simple.

“Dispute Over Voter Guide Headed to Supreme Court”

August 12, 2015, 3:12 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

CCP: The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP), America’s largest non-profit dedicated to protecting political free speech rights, issued the following statement in reaction to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in the case of Delaware Strong Families v.… Continue reading

“Carl P. Leubsdorf: Why there’s hope for easing Texas’ voter ID law”

August 12, 2015, 3:04 pmThe Voting Wars, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Dallas Morning News column.

President Obama Writes Letter to the Editor of NYT Magazine on Voting Rights Piece

August 12, 2015, 10:29 amThe Voting Wars, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Here.

Did Claire McCaskill Illegally Coordinate with Todd Akin’s Campaign?

August 12, 2015, 9:06 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

In an earlier post, I described how Sen. Claire McCaskill’s Politico oped shows how it is possible to get outside groups to follow your lead without breaking the coordination rules. The post was a response to a tweet by… Continue reading

Quote of the Day–@Lessig Edition

August 12, 2015, 7:31 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

“Ideally, I would resign in a day.” –Larry Lessig, quoted in Politico, Dissent in Bernie Sanders’ camp; The candidacy of Sanders adviser Larry Lessig could complicate matters.

“Now eligible to lobby, Eric Cantor chooses investment banking instead”

August 12, 2015, 7:28 amlobbyingRick Hasen

Politico reports.

“The Voting Rights Act Turned 50, But There’s Not a Lot to Celebrate”

August 12, 2015, 7:27 amVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

Brentin Mock for the National Journal.

How Candidates Get Outside Groups to Help Without Coordinating

August 12, 2015, 7:24 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Sen. Claire McCaskill on her strategy to boost Akin in the Republican primaries: My consultants put together a $1.7 million plan. Four weeks out we would begin with a television ad boosting Akin, which my campaign consultant Mike Muir dubbed… Continue reading

“Democrats target Virginia as they push to break down voting restrictions”

August 11, 2015, 8:44 pmelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

WaPo: After Tracey Bell tried to register to vote in Virginia last year, she got a letter in the mail saying her citizenship was in doubt and she would have to pay $10 to prove it. Confused and annoyed, Bell… Continue reading