Monthly Archives: September 2015
“Can Anything Be Done About All the Money in Politics?”
“New lawsuit challenges Virginia legislative districts”
Richmond Times-Dispatch:
A lawsuit filed Monday in Richmond Circuit Court challenges 11 of Virginia’s legislative districts, arguing that they violate the state constitution’s requirement of compactness.
The suit, backed by the nonpartisan redistricting reform group OneVirginia2021, challenges six Republican-held… Continue reading
“Election 2016: Republican Candidates Fiorina, Bush, Walker Filmed Ads With Super PACs Backing Their Campaigns”
“Supreme Court Heads Back into Political Thicket”
I have written this article for the OC Lawyer (republished with permission). It begins:
The Supreme Court will be back in session next month, and once again election law is on the docket. The Court is set to hear three… Continue reading
“Democrats Lay Groundwork to Expand Use of ‘Super PACs’”
Nick Confessore for the NYT:
Democrats are laying the groundwork for an ambitious reorganization of their struggling network of “super PACs“ that would exploit the loopholes and legal gray areas that Republicans have already used to raise hundreds… Continue reading
“The Lobbyist With a Six-Figure Government Job”
Eric Lipton for the NYT:
In this city with a grand tradition of government officials who pass through the revolving door into a world of big paychecks, Jeffrey Farrow stands apart.
While earning more than $100,000 a year as… Continue reading
“”Breyer v. Colbert: A comedian, a U.S. Supreme Court justice, and a missed opportunity.”
Matt Ford in the Atlantic:
Journalistic interviews with the justices are increasingly common and often good,but rarely great; New York magazine’s 2013 conversation with Antonin Scalia is adelightful exception. All nine of them speak often in public, although… Continue reading
“Reform Groups Urge President Obama to Reject Campaign Finance Riders in Appropriation Bills”
Press release:
Reform groups today wrote to President Obama strongly urging him to reject all riders in appropriations bills, including four damaging campaign finance riders, and to insist that clean FY 2016 appropriations legislation is sent to him for his… Continue reading
“Parties Reach Settlement in Alaska Native Voting-Rights Case”
AP:
A settlement has been reached between the state and Alaska Native plaintiffs who sued in federal court over the translation of voting materials for voters with limited English proficiency.
The proposed settlement filed Tuesday calls for the Alaska… Continue reading
“Why Voting Matters: Large Disparities in Turnout Benefit the Donor Class”
“Square accepts your political donations with a tweet”
“Report: America’s Aging Voting Machines Could Present Election Problems”
Pam Fessler for NPR:
Voting machines around the United States are coming to the end of their useful lives. Breakdowns are increasingly common. Spare parts are difficult, if not impossible, to find. That could be a serious problem for next… Continue reading
“Pay-to-Play Rule Sticks Around for 2016”
jason Abel has written this oped for the LA Daily Journal.