Monthly Archives: September 2015

‘New Hampshire Primary Source: Kasich backers say he filmed super PAC ads before becoming a candidate”

September 10, 2015, 11:13 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

WMUR: But proving that there is illegal coordination is tough. A plethora of FEC rules focus on three “prongs,” regarding payment, content and conduct. Pro-candidate super PAC ads look very much like ads by the candidates’ campaign committees themselves.… Continue reading

“Seventh Circuit Strikes Down Limited Voting for Indianapolis Judicial Races”

September 10, 2015, 10:31 amalternative voting systems, judicial electionsRick Hasen

Ballot Access News: On September 9, the Seventh Circuit agreed with the U.S. District Court that Indiana cannot provide for limited voting in partisan judicial races. The case is Common Cause Indiana v Individual Members of the Indiana Election Commission,… Continue reading

Sen. Murkowski Co-Sponsors Dem Bill to Fix Voting Rights Act

September 10, 2015, 9:40 amVoting Rights Act, VRAARick Hasen

This is surprising (via Ari Berman). For those keeping track, Rep. Sensenbrenner, a Republican, worked mostly with Democrats on the Voting Rights Amendment Act, which was seen by Democrats as a fairly watered down measure to restore a preclearance… Continue reading

“For Biden, calendar makes his 2016 decision tough to delay”

September 10, 2015, 9:14 amballot access, campaignsRick Hasen

AP: The process to get on the ballot varies greatly from state to state, creating a maze of requirements that campaigns must meet: petitions to be collected, signatures to be counted and notifications made to political parties, elections boards… Continue reading

“San Jose commission will investigate nearly the entire City Council”

September 10, 2015, 9:10 amcampaign finance, ethics investigationsRick Hasen

San Jose Mercury News: In what can only be described as a legal quagmire and a political nightmare for public officials, the city’s Ethics Commission decided Wednesday to launch an investigation of nearly 40 City Council members and candidates… Continue reading

“LLC loophole penalty could hinder NY donors”

September 10, 2015, 9:06 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Times Union: A settlement struck in a lawsuit targeting the so-called “LLC loophole” in New York election law yielded a $10,000 penalty and could pave the way to future state cases challenging limited liability company donations. Because this one… Continue reading

“Federal judge orders Utah and Republican Party to try to resolve election law lawsuit”

September 10, 2015, 9:04 ampolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

AP: The disputed law, approved in 2014 by Utah’s GOP governor and Republican-dominated Legislature, allows candidates to bypass a caucus and convention system and instead try to become a party’s nominee by gathering signatures and participating in primary elections.… Continue reading

“Connecticut Launching Registrar Certification Course After Election Day Missteps”

September 10, 2015, 9:01 amelection administrationRick Hasen

WNPR reports. More from Doug Chapin.

“Reform Groups Call on IRS to End Misuse of Nonprofits to Launder Secret Contributions into Federal Elections”

September 9, 2015, 9:50 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Democracy 21 release.

“Why Clinton’s big campaign finance proposal could lead to more partisan gridlock”

September 9, 2015, 9:47 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Wonkblog: Clinton didn’t offer many details about her plan. Her campaign did not specify how much candidates would receive in matching funds or up to what limit, but according to her plan, candidates would have to raise a certain… Continue reading

NYT Room for Debate Considers Third Party Candidates

September 9, 2015, 8:08 amcampaigns, third partiesRick Hasen

Here.

“Sheldon Adelson Is Ready to Buy the Presidency. He just hasn’t decided which Republican candidate to back. Care to make a pitch?”

September 9, 2015, 8:02 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

New York magazine.

Just How Democratic is California? Republican Party Chair Leaves Out His Party in Announcing Senate Bid

September 9, 2015, 7:45 amcampaignsRick Hasen

Former chair of Republican Party Duf Sundheim announces his bid without mentioning he’s a Republican or his chairmanship of the CA Republican party. The closest he comes in an emailed press release is this: In 2012, Sundheim reached across… Continue reading

“Conan O’Brien Tries to Give Lincoln Chafee a Lift in the Polls”

September 9, 2015, 7:42 amcampaignsRick Hasen

NYT: Lincoln Chafee, the former Rhode Island governor, has failed to garner a single supporter in the last four national polls, which have queried a total of 1,475 Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters. The latest poll came after Mr. Chafee got… Continue reading