Monthly Archives: December 2017

“Secret super PAC backing Jones in Alabama exposed”

December 11, 2017, 2:22 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Politico: A mystery super PAC backing Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama is controlled by a pair of groups closely aligned with the national Democratic Party, even as the candidate strives to dissociate himself from Washington interests. Highway 31, which… Continue reading

Analyzing the Maryland Case on a Statewide Basis

December 11, 2017, 1:10 pmUncategorizedNicholas Stephanopoulos

The Supreme Court’s new partisan gerrymandering case features a district-specific (rather than a statewide) claim, as the plaintiffs challenge only Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District. It’s worth noting, though, that had the plaintiffs attacked Maryland’s entire congressional map, they (likely) would… Continue reading

Mobilizing Black Voters in Alabama: Who Does it and Why It’s Become Harder

December 11, 2017, 12:09 pmUncategorizedRichard Pildes

For many decades the most significant organization in Alabama for mobilizing black turnout has been the Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC). The ADC goes back deep into Alabama’s history, even pre-dating the Voting Rights Act. It was founded after the successful… Continue reading

“A Guide to Election Year Activities of Section 501(c)(3) Organizations”

December 11, 2017, 12:05 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Steven Sholk has published an updated version of his very useful publication. Depending on what happens with the tax bill, he may have to write a whole new guide in January.

“Is the Supreme Court finally ready to tackle partisan gerrymandering? Signs suggest yes”

December 11, 2017, 9:55 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

I have written this oped for the LA Times. A snippet: Maybe there is some technical problem with the Gill case — such as a lack of standing for the plaintiffs — that would prevent the court from deciding it… Continue reading

“That powerful elected office a candidate held years ago? California voters won’t see it when they mark their 2018 ballot”

December 11, 2017, 9:49 amcampaignsRick Hasen

John Myers for the LAT on candidate three-word designations of their professions.

The Maryland Gerrymandering Case: Four Significant Aspects to the Court Deciding to Hear the Case

December 11, 2017, 8:58 amUncategorizedRichard Pildes

1. The significance for the justiciability issue. Deciding to hear the Maryland case is a significant signal that a majority of the Court is not going to hold partisan gerrymandering claims to be non-justiciable (that is, inappropriate for judicial resolution). … Continue reading

“The Republican Overseeing the Alabama Election Doesn’t Think Voting Should Be Easy”

December 11, 2017, 8:29 amThe Voting WarsRick Hasen

Pema Levy: This time last year, Alabama’s chief elections official landed in the national spotlight for delivering a screed against nonvoters that many people interpreted as an attack on African Americans in the state, who have long faced barriers to… Continue reading

“The Alabama Senate Race May Have Already Been Decided”

December 11, 2017, 8:11 amelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Scott Douglas NYT oped: The Senate election in Alabama on Tuesday is not just about the choice between Doug Jones and Roy Moore. It’s also about a voter suppression campaign that may well sway the result of a close race.… Continue reading

“In major reform, 2020 Iowa caucuses would include absentee voting, public vote totals”

December 10, 2017, 8:28 pmpolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

Des Moines Register: Iowa’s first-in-the-nation Democratic presidential caucuses would break with decades of tradition in 2020 by allowing voters to cast absentee ballots and then releasing the raw total of votes won by each candidate. A Democratic National Committee panel… Continue reading

“Fight Looming in NH Senate Over Voting Rights”

December 10, 2017, 8:06 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

The latest from New Hampsire.

Must-Read Ellen Aprill NYT Oped: “Leave the Johnson Amendment Alone”

December 10, 2017, 7:51 pmcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

Ellen in the NYT: Contributions to charities are deductible; contributions to PACs and section 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations are not. Because charities can have enormous influence on political campaigns with very little expense, many who wish to intervene in political… Continue reading

Detroit’s Election Administration Remains a National Embarrassment

December 10, 2017, 11:58 amelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

In this forthcoming piece on the 2016 voting wars in the U.S., I describe in some detail the debacle that was the Detroit recount, part of the (eventually abandoned) recall attempt by Jill Stein after the 2016 presidential election. The… Continue reading

“Virginia’s House election is irreparably tainted”

December 10, 2017, 11:52 amelection administrationRick Hasen

WaPo editorial: THE MYSTERY of how, why and by whom a few hundred Northern Virginians were registered to vote in the wrong state legislative districts in this fall’s elections does not look as though it will be resolved soon. For… Continue reading