Monthly Archives: November 2017
“Despite Recent Wins for Democrats, Gerrymanders Dim Hopes for 2018”
NYT:
For Democrats, signs everywhere suddenly look rosy.
They won smashing victories last week in Virginia and other states. With voters giving the Trump presidency and the Republican-led Congress dismal grades, and the Democratic grass roots re-energized, hope is widespread… Continue reading
“The Burdens of Gerrymandering Are Borne by Communities of Color”
Rep. Gwen Moore for NBC Think.
“A Year After Trump’s Victory, Our Elections Aren’t Much More Secure”
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Case Involving Minnesota’s Ban on All Political Apparel in the Polling Place
The case is Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky, Here’s the question presented from the cert. petition:
Minnesota election law forbids voters from wearing political badges, political buttons, or other political insignia at the polling place. See Minn. Stat. §… Continue reading
What Are the Public Interests in Not Cancelling or Postponing an Election?
As I noted in this earlier post on Alabama, it raises constitutional concerns to cancel or postpone an election, unless the reason to do so is to deal with a potential constitutional violation of holding the election as scheduled.
I … Continue reading
Some Authority That Cancelling Senate Election in Alabama, as Hugh Hewitt Suggests, Would Violate the 17th Amendment
A smart reader emails:
I just read your piece responding to Hugh Hewitt, and I had been looking at the question a little since he posted his (really bad) idea.
Valenti v. Rockefeller 292 F. Supp. 851 (1968) offers substantial… Continue reading
No, the Alabama Legislature Should Not Be Able to Constitutionally Cancel the Special Senate Election to Avoid a Democratic Win
Seems odd that I have to even write this, but over on Twitter, Hugh Hewitt makes a pitch for Alabama to cancel the special election and allow Sen. Strange to complete the term:
If @GovKayIvey and legislature agreed to cancel… Continue reading
“Trump Says Putin ‘Means It’ About Not Meddling in U.S. Elections”
NYT:
President Trump said on Saturday that he believed President Vladimir V. Putin was sincere in his denials of interference in the 2016 presidential elections, calling questions about Moscow’s meddling a politically motivated “hit job” that was hindering cooperation with… Continue reading
Virginia County Allegedly Not Counting 55 Timely-Cast Military Absentee Ballots in Very Close Elections
Strange story:
Questions are swirling around two close elections in the Fredericksburg region that appear destined for recounts.
In a conference call Friday, House Democratic Caucus Executive Director Trent Armitage said that 55 military ballots delivered to the Stafford County… Continue reading
DNC Wants to Reopen Scope of Discovery in DNC v. RNC Voter Intimidation Case Based on Politico Article
Alabama Republicans Float Idea of Rescheduling Special Senate Election to Avoid Roy Moore Problem, Even Though Military/Overseas Voters May Have Already Voted
NYT:
One approach that Republicans are considering, according to people briefed on the deliberations, would involve asking Gov. Kay Ivey to order a new date for the election, scheduling it for early next year and giving the party time to… Continue reading
Sean Spicer May Have Given Democrats Evidence to Extend Consent Decree Against RNC Voter Intimidation Activities
Politico:
In the oral history published Tuesday by GQ Magazine, Spicer recalled of the historic day: “A group of us gathered on the fifth floor of Trump Tower in what could be described as basically an oversized utility room.”…… Continue reading
“What Virginia tells us, and doesn’t tell us, about gerrymandering”
Nick Stephanopoulos LAT oped:
Although the Virginia governorship was Tuesday’s marquee race, the Virginia House of Delegates produced the day’s most surprising result. Democratspicked up at least 15 seats and reduced a 66 to 34 Republican advantage to, at… Continue reading