Monthly Archives: May 2017

“In Texas, almost all non-voters have a photo ID — but few understand the voter identification rules”

May 8, 2017, 6:50 amelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Renée Cross, Jim Granato and Mark P. Jones for the Monkey Cage: We conducted surveys in Texas earlier this year to investigate these arguments. Our study found that virtually all eligible non-voters — that is, people who could have… Continue reading

“Why did Trump win? More whites — and fewer blacks — actually voted.”

May 8, 2017, 6:48 amcampaigns, votingRick Hasen

Bernard L. Fraga, Sean McElwee, Jesse Rhodes and Brian Schaffner for the Monkey Cage: Using data from the voter file vendor Catalist and information from the U.S. Census Bureau, we examine the change in turnout rates for different racial/ethnic groups… Continue reading

“Allegations Of Voter Fraud Delay Results In Dallas City Council District 6 Race”

May 7, 2017, 9:05 pmchicanery, election administrationRick Hasen

KERA reports.

“Campaign-finance laws look worse up close”

May 7, 2017, 9:01 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Susan Shelley column in the OC Register: Get ready to bake me a cake with a file in it. I ran for public office, so I have no secrets from you. Stand by for a major revelation: In 2013, as… Continue reading

Kansas City Star Editorial Calls Kris Kobach the “Javert of Voter Fraud”

May 7, 2017, 8:58 pmchicanery, election administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Editorial: The Javert of voter fraud now has a ninth conviction to show for Kansans’ tax dollars and his own single-minded pursuit. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach claimed in a statement last week that, “This conviction demonstrates once again… Continue reading

“Can math stop partisan gerrymandering?”

May 7, 2017, 11:53 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Sam Wang and Brian Remlinger LAT oped: Setting aside the Monte Carlo analysis, the most straightforward way to determine if gerrymandering has gone too far is to ask whether one side’s wins were exceptionally lopsided compared with the other. In… Continue reading

Pasadena, TX: “Latinos in heavily segregated city see limited success in pivotal Texas election”

May 7, 2017, 11:49 amVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

The Guardian: Pasadena was one of the first places in the country to be placed back under federal supervision after that 2013 ruling. So Saturday’s mayoral and city council elections were keenly watched by civil rights advocates. Those hoping Pasadena… Continue reading

“Heated MT Judicial Campaign Spawns Free-Speech Lawsuit”

May 7, 2017, 11:46 amcampaigns, judicial electionsRick Hasen

Courthouse News Service: A new federal lawsuit involving a contentious Montana judicial race last year claims an investigation into campaign statements is having a chilling effect on one of the candidate’s ability to defend himself in disciplinary proceedings. Robert Myers… Continue reading

“Georgia special election smashes all-time spending record”

May 6, 2017, 6:01 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Politico: It’s official: Georgia’s special election will be the most expensive House race in U.S. history. Candidates and outside groups have aired or reserved more than $29.7 million worth of TV ads in the race to replace HHS Secretary Tom… Continue reading

“Hacked records show Bradley Foundation taking its conservative Wisconsin model national”

May 6, 2017, 5:58 amcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Daniel Bice for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Long a player on the national stage, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation in Milwaukee has been quietly using its vast resources to construct state-by-state networks of activist groups to win support for… Continue reading

“Federal judge: Parts of Missouri’s campaign finance law unconstitutional; $2,600 donor limit stays”

May 5, 2017, 8:38 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Jo Mannies for St. Louis Public Radio: Parts of Missouri’s new campaign finance law is unconstitutional, but the $2,600 individual donor limit will stick, according to a ruling issued Friday by Senior District Judge Ortrie Smith of the Western District… Continue reading

Calvin TerBeek Flags Remarkable Justice Alito Speech, Some of Which Defends Citizens United

May 5, 2017, 8:24 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Calvin at the Faculty Lounge asks: Is Justice Alito a Crit (or Just a Movement Conservative)? on “a rather remarkable speech Justice Alito gave at the Claremont Institute in early February received relatively little media attention (Mark Joseph Stern excepted… Continue reading

Iowa: “Branstad signs controversial voter ID bill into law”

May 5, 2017, 8:13 pmelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter idRick Hasen

Des Moines Register: Iowa voters soon will need to show identification at the polls under a new law signed Friday by Gov. Terry Branstad. The measure overhauls Iowa’s election laws through a series of changes that Republicans say are needed… Continue reading