Monthly Archives: April 2023

ProPublica blockbuster on undisclosed gifts to Justice Thomas

April 6, 2023, 5:55 pmethics investigationsJustin Levitt

Here’s an excerpt: For more than two decades, Thomas has accepted luxury trips virtually every year from the Dallas businessman [Harlan Crow] without disclosing them, documents and interviews show. A public servant who has a salary of $285,000, he… Continue reading

Tennessee House Expels Two Members Over Gun Reform Protest

April 6, 2023, 5:54 pmlegislation and legislaturesJustin Levitt

There were three expulsion resolutions pending Thursday morning, based on three members (Justin Pearson, Justin Jones, and Gloria Johnson) leading gun violence reformers in a protest from the floor of the House chamber after they hadn’t otherwise been recognized… Continue reading

House Judiciary Subpoenas Former Manhattan Special Assistant DA Mark Pomerantz

April 6, 2023, 4:28 pmcampaign finance, chicanery, legislation and legislaturesJustin Levitt

Here’s the cover letter attached to the subpoena, explaining House Judiciary’s rationale for conducting a deposition. Pomerantz worked on the Trump investigation for the Manhattan DA’s office, resigned in protest when Trump was not charged earlier in DA Bragg’s tenure,… Continue reading

More takes (collected) on the Trump indictment

April 6, 2023, 4:27 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryJustin Levitt

Eric Columbus has started a thread accumulating several beyond those out in the immediate aftermath of the arraignment.

“Attacks on Dominion Voting Persist Despite High-Profile Lawsuits”

April 6, 2023, 4:26 pmchicanery, election subversion risk, fraudulent fraud squadJustin Levitt

It may take an enforced monetary judgment to actually stop the nonsense.

“Trump-fueled election deniers still ‘spread lies,’ experts warn. What does that mean for 2024?”

April 6, 2023, 4:26 pmchicanery, election subversion risk, fraudulent fraud squadJustin Levitt

USA Today discusses the half-life of information disorder.

“Cochise supervisors ordered to pay legal fees in election certification suit”

April 6, 2023, 4:25 pmchicanery, election subversion riskJustin Levitt

The supervisors who initially refused to certify the canvass for the 2022 midterms are on the hook for fees for the subsequent suit compelling certification. Here’s the order. The court rejected the argument that “taxpayers might bear the burden… Continue reading

“Gator Caucus disputes legitimacy of Senate presidential election”

April 6, 2023, 4:24 pmThe Voting WarsJustin Levitt

The students may be learning too many real-life lessons about elections in the Sunshine State. This story about the election to the presidency of the University of Florida Student Senate runneth over the cup: disputed results, quorum runs, disputes about… Continue reading

New report on the impact of opt-out voter registration at California DMVs

April 6, 2023, 4:13 pmvoter registrationJustin Levitt

New from the Center for Inclusive Democracy (and democracy all-star Mindy Romero will explain it to you at greater length, here). Unsurprisingly, registration at California DMVs has become the most frequent means of registration since the process went opt-out… Continue reading

“New ballot-counting machines tested in spring voting were accurate, election officials say”

April 6, 2023, 4:12 pmelection administration, voting technologyJustin Levitt

From NHPR, and no surprise. But/and this is also the best kind of service journalism.

“A Welcome Rethink on Ranked-Choice Voting”

April 6, 2023, 4:10 pmalternative voting systemsJustin Levitt

The WSJ editorial board praises Idaho.

“Virginia Rolls Back Voting Rights for Ex-Felons, Bucking Shaky Bipartisan Trend”

April 6, 2023, 4:10 pmelection administration, felon votingJustin Levitt

The NYT on state pushback to re-enfranchisement.

“ELEC releases eight complaints – all of which are nullified by new campaign finance law”

April 6, 2023, 4:09 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission – the state’s campaign finance enforcement body – released eight complaints against municipal candidates on Wednesday. But New Jersey’s new law, with a shorter two-year statute of limitations, makes them all unenforceable. … Continue reading