Monthly Archives: January 2017
“Former Wisconsin judges seek rules on campaign donations”
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:
More than 50 retired jurists on Wednesday asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to require judges and justices to step aside when hearing cases involving those who helped bankroll their elections.
The proposal from the 54 former judges comes… Continue reading
“American Employers as Political Machines”
Alexander Hertel-Fernandez has written this article for the Journal of Politics. Here is the abstract:
American employers are increasingly engaging their workers in the political process. Drawing on original surveys of firms and workers, this paper examines the extent to… Continue reading
“Entertainment and the Opportunity Cost of Civic Participation: Monday Night Football Game Quality Suppresses Turnout in US Elections”
Matthew Postoski and R. Urbatsch have written this article for the Journal of Politics. Here is the abstract:
Raising the opportunity cost of people’s time may reduce their commitment to social obligations such as voting. Notably, entertaining sporting events can… Continue reading
“Government Ethics Leader Calls Trump’s Plan to Avoid Conflicts Inadequate”
NYT:
Just hours after President-elect Donald J. Trump said he would not sell his vast business empire and would instead hand it over to a trust controlled by his two oldest sons, the government’s top ethics monitor said his plan… Continue reading
“Eric Holder to Lead Democrats’ Attack on Republican Gerrymandering”
NYT:
Mr. Holder said his initiative would unfold on three fronts: In court, where Democrats will challenge Republican-drawn maps they see as violating the law; on the campaign trail, where they will seek to win offices that influence redistricting; and… Continue reading
Two Views on President Elect Trump and the Emoluments Clause
White Paper from his lawyers at Morgan Lewis
Scholars talking to Ryan Lizza
“Justice Department Files Voting Rights Suit Against City of Eastpointe, Michigan”
Release:
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit late yesterday to challenge the at-large method of electing the city council of Eastpointe, Michigan. The complaint alleges that the election system in Eastpointe violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by… Continue reading
“Supreme Court Blocks Special Elections in North Carolina”
“Franken Stumps Sessions on Trump’s Crazy Voter-Fraud Tweet”
“‘Soft Money’ Challenge Heads to Supreme Court”
Bloomberg BNA:
The Supreme Court has been asked formally to review a challenge to restrictions on “soft money” contributions to political parties—the last remaining major element of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law passed in 2002.
The filing of a “jurisdictional… Continue reading
“Philanthropy Roundtable petitions Supreme Court to uphold donor privacy”
Philanthropy Daily:
The Philanthropy Roundtable filed an amicus brief Monday in the case Independence Institute v. Federal Election Commission urging the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold donor privacy and free speech for 501(c)3 charities.
“Many philanthropists value… Continue reading
7th Circuit Cancels Oral Argument in Both WI Voter ID Cases
In both Frank v. Walker and One Wisconsin now, this order with no explanation of if/when argument will be rescheduled:
ORDER: The court, on its own motion, ORDERS that oral argument in this appeal set for Tuesday, 01/17/2017 is VACATED.… Continue reading
Will the Supreme Court Put NC Special Elections Back for 2017? Not Likely
Earlier today, I blogged about the surprise order of the Supreme Court today putting a hold on 2017 special elections in North Carolina legislative districts ordered by a three judge court after a finding that the districts were unconstitutional racial… Continue reading