Monthly Archives: September 2018

In 2003, Judge Kavanaugh Called Lower Court Decision in the McCain-Feingold Case to Uphold the Rules Limiting Corporate and Union Spending in Elections Strange and Dangerous

September 6, 2018, 7:29 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

You can find the leaked document here (via the NYT). He also correctly predicted that the case would come down the votes of CJ Rehnquist and Justice O’Connor (both in the end switched sides from their earrlier positions… Continue reading

“Company using foreign workers botches U.S. Senate campaign finance records”

September 5, 2018, 1:22 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

CPI: In September 2016, Bill Bledsoe pulled into a gas station in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and filled a Chevy Express van with $613,638 of gasoline — enough fuel to drive him to the moon and back more than 10 times.… Continue reading

“Judge orders independent candidate off the ballot in Va. congressional race, citing ‘out and out fraud”

September 5, 2018, 1:20 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

WaPo: A Richmond Circuit Court judge on Wednesday ordered independent candidate Shaun Brown removed from the ballot in Virginia’s 2nd District congressional race, finding that her qualifying petition was tainted by “forgery” and “out and out fraud.” Many of those… Continue reading

Is Trump’s DOJ Making North Carolina His New Front in the Voting Wars? Subpoenas Sent to Get Voting Records Throughout State

September 4, 2018, 8:29 pmThe Voting WarsRick Hasen

A few weeks back, the DOJ brought charges in North Carolina against 19 people the government said were non-citizens voting in the election. The NYT reported: The Justice Department said the violations were uncovered by a newly created federal task… Continue reading

“A Republican congressman helped a rival collect signatures to get on the ballot. Some of those signatures were fake.”

September 4, 2018, 8:02 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

WaPo: Rep. Scott W. Taylor (R-Va.) sat in the backroom of his campaign office in a strip mall. Mini-blinds closed, a modest “Scott Taylor U.S. Congress” sign taped to the door was all that identified his reelection headquarters. Inside, a… Continue reading

North Carolina: “Courts: Congressional races, amendment language all a go”

September 4, 2018, 2:23 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

WRAL: North Carolina’s congressional races will be held this November under the current maps, and all six proposed amendments to the state constitution will be on the ballot as well.

Call for Papers: Between Regulation and Legislation

September 4, 2018, 1:04 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

Between Regulation and Legislation Call for Papers for Special Issue of The Theory and Practice of Legislation Guest Editors: Nir Kosti, David Levi-Faur, Guy Mor, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem We live in an age in which different types… Continue reading

Judge Kavanaugh’s Sloppy Illogic in the Bluman Foreign Campaign Spending Case: A Question to Ask at the Hearings

September 4, 2018, 10:18 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

In an earlier post, and in pieces in Politico and Slate, I explained how Judge Kavanaugh’s opinion for a three-judge court in Bluman v. FEC opens a huge gaping hole in campaign finance law allowing for foreign governments, entities,… Continue reading

Kavanaugh, Foreign Agents, and American Elections

September 4, 2018, 6:40 amcampaign finance, statutory interpretation, Supreme CourtJustin Levitt

Justin here, with my own take on Kavanaugh and the election process, also cross-posted over at the Take Care blog: In the 2016 elections, we were hacked. I don’t mean the breach of the DNC systems, serious as… Continue reading

“Brett Kavanaugh May Soon Unshackle All Rich Political Donors”

September 3, 2018, 3:46 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

I have written this piece for Slate. It begins: By the time President Donald Trump runs for reelection in 2020, he might be able to accept unlimited campaign contributions to support his bid, thanks to his nomination of Judge Brett… Continue reading

“How Brett Kavanaugh Would Transform the Supreme Court”

September 3, 2018, 3:45 pmSupreme CourtRick Hasen

Adam Liptak curtain-raiser for the NYT.

“Kansas court rules for grand jury investigation of Kobach”

September 3, 2018, 3:32 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

AP: A grand jury must be convened to investigate whether Republican gubernatorial candidate and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach intentionally failed to register voters in 2016, the Kansas Supreme Court has ruled. The court’s one-page opinion was released Friday… Continue reading

“Corporations, interest groups spend fortunes on ballot measures”

September 2, 2018, 2:43 pmcampaign finance, direct democracyRick Hasen

Reid Wilson: Some of the most expensive campaigns this fall will be waged between the wealthiest corporations and best-funded interest groups in America, as those groups vie to pass or block ballot initiatives in states across the country. Voters in… Continue reading

“Georgia’s Voting Plan Has Drawn New Criticism, This Time Over How It’s Dealing With Voters Overseas”

September 1, 2018, 10:24 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

BuzzFeed: The state of Georgia has blocked all foreign internet traffic to its online voter registration site, BuzzFeed News has learned, a move that would do little to deter hackers but blocks absentee voters. The site, registertovote.sos.ga.gov, is accessible… Continue reading