Monthly Archives: August 2015

Bloomberg BNA on Republicans’ New Soft Money Suit

August 4, 2015, 8:39 pmcampaign finance, political partiesRick Hasen

Ken Doyle: [update: also here without a subscription] No Explanation of Timing The decision to renew the legal challenge to the BCRA soft-money limits on behalf of the Louisiana Republicans—but not the RNC—may reflect divisions within the party over… Continue reading

Looking More Like WI John Doe Claims of Harassment Exaggerated or False

August 4, 2015, 7:34 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Journal Sentinel: An attorney for the two investigators submitted the audio file to federal court on Monday. David Rivkin, Archer’s lawyer, said in a statement that the audio “confirms Ms. Archer’s account of that traumatic morning in every relevant… Continue reading

“Martin O’Malley to call for a voting rights constitutional amendment”

August 4, 2015, 4:32 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

CNN reports.

“Slim turnout expected in next month’s NC primaries”

August 4, 2015, 4:26 pmThe Voting Wars, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Charlotte Observer: To mark the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Sunday’s New York Times Magazine made North Carolina the focus for a sweeping cover story on the 1965 law and the struggle both to create it and… Continue reading

“Scott Walker Aide’s Claim of Prosecutorial Abuse Refuted by New Audio”

August 4, 2015, 2:14 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

PR Watch: Scott Walker’s former top aide Cindy Archer has become the poster child for allegations that state prosecutors investigating corruption around Walker ran amok and engaged in aggressive, unconstitutional “raids” on people’s homes. Newly-released audio contradicts many of… Continue reading

“New York State Lawmakers Spend Millions in Campaign Funds on Legal Fees”

August 4, 2015, 12:43 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

NYT reports.

“Ex-Illinois Gov. Blagojevich asks full court to hear appeal”

August 4, 2015, 12:14 pmbribery, chicaneryRick Hasen

AP: Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich asked a full federal appellate court in Chicago to rehear his appeal after three judges recently overturned five of his 18 corruption convictions. The imprisoned Democrat’s lawyers filed the request Tuesday with the… Continue reading

Sen. Bernie Sanders Give Campaign Finance Speech on Senate Floor

August 4, 2015, 11:47 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Beginning at the 1:50 mark over at CSPAN. He calls for a constitutional amendment to overturn both Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo. He also endorses disclosure and public funding of elections.

“Shadow Campaigns: The Shift in Presidential Campaign Funding to Outside Groups”

August 4, 2015, 11:42 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Brennan Center: Outside groups set up to benefit specific candidates have raised twice as much as the candidates themselves so far in the 2016 presidential race — and groups reported to have close ties to a candidate account for… Continue reading

“Secretary Padilla Ends Appeal of Scott v. Bowen Case; Settlement will Restore Voting Rights to Thousands of Californians “

August 4, 2015, 11:38 amfelon votingRick Hasen

Release: In a ruling last year, the Alameda Superior Court concluded that low-level offenders who are subject to mandatory supervision or post-release community supervision under the Public Safety Realignment Act are eligible to register to vote under Article II,… Continue reading

“Obama to call for Voting Rights Act restoration on law’s anniversary”

August 4, 2015, 11:01 amVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

The Hill reports.

“Koch Brothers Gather Conservative Donors To Hear GOP Candidates”

August 4, 2015, 11:00 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Peter Overby reports for NPR.

“Stephen Harper of Canada, Hoping to Extend Conservatives’ Hold, Calls Elections”

August 4, 2015, 10:57 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT: Yasmin Dawood, a professor of law and political science at the University of Toronto, said the timing of the elections appeared intended to enable the Conservatives, who overwhelmingly lead in fund-raising, to outspend opponents. Election law changes introduced… Continue reading

Republicans File Major New Challenge to McCain-Feingold Soft Money Rules

August 4, 2015, 8:44 amcampaign finance, campaigns, political parties, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Read the complaint in Republican Party of Louisiana v. FEC. This is a major challenge, filed by Jim Bopp, raising not just as applied challenges, but facial challenges to the rules which limit how much money political parties can raise… Continue reading