Monthly Archives: June 2016
“Fourth Circuit Upholds Virginia’s Discriminatory Ballot Listing for Candidates”
BAN:
On June 20, the Fourth Circuit agreed with the U.S. District Court that Virginia’s discriminatory listing of candidates on the general election ballot is constitutional. Libertarian Party of Virginia v Alcorn, 15-1162. The decision is by Judge… Continue reading
“Yes, Political Ads Are Still Important, Even for Donald Trump”
Lynn Vavreck for NYT’s The Upshot:
The evidence suggests that campaign ads have small effects that decay rapidly — very rapidly — but just enough of the impact accumulates to make running more advertising than your opponent seem a necessity.… Continue reading
“Court Documents Show The IRS Focused Scrutiny On Conservative Groups”
Peter Overby for NPR:
Until now, what’s been missing is a list of the nonprofit groups that got special scrutiny — a list that presumably would show whether the agency had a political agenda or not.
Now, thanks to filings … Continue reading
“Precedent in Statutory Interpretation”
Lawrence Solan has posted this draft on SSRN (forthcoming, North Carolina Law Review). Here is the abstract:
In interpreting statutes, judges frequently refer to their obligation to take a back seat to the legislature, and to avoid substituting their own… Continue reading
“Why Open Primaries Won’t Change Our Politics Much; Legislators elected from closed primary systems are no more or less extreme than those from open primary systems.”
Seth Masket for Pacific Standard.
“Anti-Trump delegates raising money for staff and a legal defense fund”
“Congressional Black Caucus balks at two political reforms being pitched by Bernie Sanders”
WaPo:
The Congressional Black Caucus is voicing strong opposition to two key political reforms being sought by presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in the run-up to the Democratic National Convention: abolishing superdelegates and opening up Democratic primaries and caucuses to… Continue reading
Dan Tokaji Guest Blogging June 24-July 4
The great Dan Tokaji will be guest blogging on June 24-July 4. So please direct any tips etc. to him during that period.
“Revised election law lowering voting age in Japan to 18 takes effect”
Could Someone Legally Pay Donald Trump $150 Million to Leave Race?
This Politico story started the speculation (which seems completely unjustified), and it features a law professor saying this wouldn’t be a bribe.
I think the question is whether it is illegal to pay a candidate to withdraw from a race.… Continue reading
Election Law Academics Update
Here’s my yearly roundup of election law academic hires, promotions moves, visits, accolades:
Jesse Allen received tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Joey Fishkin received tenure at UT Austin, and… Continue reading
“Commentary: A dysfunctional Supreme Court. Get used to it”
The Ultimate Woah If True Story
End of conservative Supreme Court: Clarence Thomas may be next to leave.
Update: Justice Thomas’s wife says no way.