Monthly Archives: December 2018

“Democrats in New Jersey Have a Firm Grip on Power. They Want Even More.”

December 13, 2018, 9:17 amredistrictingRick Hasen

NYT: Legislative power brokers across the country have long designed district lines in back-room deals that entrenched their control for years, if not decades. But now, Democratic lawmakers in New Jersey are carrying out a power grab in an unusually… Continue reading

“Broad review of partisan gerrymandering urged”

December 13, 2018, 9:04 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Lyle Denniston: A group of Maryland Republican voters, claiming that they were penalized for supporting their party’s candidates in the polling booth, asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to make a sweeping review of the constitutionality of partisan gerrymandering, and… Continue reading

Federal District Court Rejects Constitutional Challenges to Maine Ranked Choice Voting in Congressional Election as Recount Proceeds without Drama

December 13, 2018, 7:53 amalternative voting systemsRick Hasen

Here is the unsurprising court order. And see Roll Call: Maine Recount Is a Low-Drama Affair — Unlike the Election.

North Carolina: “A new 9th District congressional election — if called — would be a full do-over”; and Bill Would Resolve Dispute over State Elections Board

December 12, 2018, 8:48 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

News and Observer: A proposal that would require another primary in the 9th Congressional District if suspected absentee ballot fraud results in a new election won legislative approval Wednesday. The requirement for a complete do-over in the 9th District… Continue reading

“Senate votes to overturn Trump administration donor disclosure rule for ‘dark money’ groups”

December 12, 2018, 8:44 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

WaPo: The Senate on Wednesday voted 50 to 49 to overturn a Trump administration policy that allows politically active nonprofits to withhold from the government the identities of their donors, underscoring a growing unease among Democrats over the influence of… Continue reading

“NC election fraud: Concerning number of absentee ballots not returned in Columbus Co.”

December 12, 2018, 8:25 pmabsentee ballotsRick Hasen

WECT: As evidence mounts of potential election fraud in Bladen County, WECT has learned this may not be an isolated problem. WECT has just uncovered that things in Columbus County may be even worse. About a third of the absentee… Continue reading

“Tabloid Publisher’s Deal in Hush-Money Inquiry Adds to Trump’s Danger”

December 12, 2018, 8:23 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

NYT: Until this week, it was largely Mr. Cohen’s word against the president’s denials. That is why the admission by A.M.I. is “highly significant, because it goes to corroborate” Mr. Cohen’s testimony, said Jeff Tsai, part of the prosecution team… Continue reading

“Multiple Indiana voting laws on trial in federal court”

December 12, 2018, 8:21 pmThe Voting Wars, voter idRick Hasen

Indiana Lawyer: Indianapolis attorney Robbin Stewart was raised to value the right to vote. In his home state of Delaware, Stewart watched his mother work as a citizen lobbyist to protect the environment, and he got his first taste… Continue reading

“Remembering Rosanell Eaton, An Outspoken Advocate for Voting Rights”

December 12, 2018, 2:38 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

NPR: To Rosanell Eaton, the restrictive new laws seemed familiar. Eaton was the granddaughter of enslaved people who grew up under Jim Crow in Louisburg, N.C., and had been fighting against rules meant to keep black people from voting… Continue reading

“Experts Debunk Trump’s Claim That Cohen’s Campaign Violations Are Similar To Obama’s”

December 12, 2018, 1:31 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

I spoke with Ari Shapiro of NPR’s All Things Considered.

In Cooperation Agreement with Government, National Enquirer Parent Company Admits It Made Payments to Trump’s Mistress to Influence the 2016 Presidential Election

December 12, 2018, 10:49 amcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

From a DOJ release: The Office also announced today that it has previously reached a non-prosecution agreement with AMI, in connection with AMI’s role in making the above-described $150,000 payment before the 2016 presidential election. As a part of the… Continue reading

Supreme Court Might Not Hear North Carolina Partisan Gerrymandering Case Until Next Term, Meaning Possible Decision in June 2020, and Potentially Leaving NC Districts in Place for 2020 Elections and Perhaps Rendering Case Moot

December 12, 2018, 9:08 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

So predicts key Court watcher John Elwood: My instinct is Court won't act before 1/4 conference. I suspect they'll reschedule until late January, so argument would come next fall. I doubt John Roberts wants to revisit an issue that flummoxed… Continue reading

“Florida Republican Not Even Sworn In, Facing Campaign Finance Questions”

December 12, 2018, 7:23 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Roll Call: The campaign finance issues looming around Rep.-elect Ross Spano, R-Fla., have grown more troublesome in recent days with new questions about the role of a longtime friend in funding his campaigns and hiring his new Congressional staff.… Continue reading