“The Threats to Our Democracy Have Gone Local”

April 15, 2023, 3:32 pmelection subversion riskRick Hasen

Camille Squires NYT oped: American democracy didn’t crumble in one fell swoop under the administration of a president with disregard for rule of law or under the weight of a mob storming the Capitol or under a wave of candidates… Continue reading

“If Tennessee’s Legislature Looks Broken, It’s Not Alone; State legislatures around the country — plagued by partisan division, uncompetitive races and gerrymandering — reflect the current pressures on democracy.”

April 14, 2023, 8:41 amlegislation and legislatures, political polarizationRick Hasen

Michael Wines for the NYT: There are 99 legislators in the Tennessee House of Representatives, the body that voted on Thursday to expel two of its Democratic members for leading an anti-gun protest in the chamber. Sixty of them had… Continue reading

“U.S. elections official takes part in secretive GOP conference, sparking backlash”

April 14, 2023, 8:32 amElection Assistance Commission, fraudulent fraud squadRick Hasen

Zachary Roth: A commissioner of a federal elections agency recently spoke at a secretive conference of conservative voting activists and Republican secretaries of state and congressional staff — a step that election experts call highly improper for an official charged… Continue reading

“Facing Tough Senate Race, Montana G.O.P. Looks to Change the Rules”

April 14, 2023, 7:31 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

NYT: Republicans typically cry foul when accused of rewriting election laws to benefit their candidates. But as the Montana Legislature debates a new voting bill, even some G.O.P. lawmakers concede that this one appears designed to help them win elections… Continue reading

“Witness Testimony Helps Prosecutors Advance Trump Election Case”

April 14, 2023, 7:27 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

NYT: Without fanfare, the Justice Department’s investigation into former President Donald J. Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election is approaching an important milestone. After nearly nine months of behind-the-scenes clashes, Mr. Trump’s lawyers have largely lost their battle to… Continue reading

” Gov. Hochul’s top court picks could help tip the balance of Congress”

April 14, 2023, 7:21 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Gothamist: Gov. Kathy Hochul’s latest picks for New York’s highest court could play a key role in deciding whether the state will rip up its congressional district maps and start over — a move that could help determine which party… Continue reading

“How A Rural California County Became A Petri Dish For the Big Lie”

April 14, 2023, 7:05 amelection administration, fraudulent fraud squadRick Hasen

Kaila Philo for TPM: A deep red enclave in rural Northern California has recently seen the balance of its local governing body shift to the far right. Now it’s about to embark on an experiment tried in few other jurisdictions… Continue reading

“The Court Is Likely to Reject the Independent State Legislature Theory; And that offers hope for American democracy”

April 14, 2023, 7:01 amlegislation and legislatures, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Judge Luttig in The Atlantic.

“Denver jury convicts man of felony charge for threatening Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold”

April 13, 2023, 3:16 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

The Colorado Sun reports.

“Feinstein, Under Pressure to Resign, Asks to Step Down From Judiciary Panel”

April 12, 2023, 7:20 pmlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

NYT: Senator Dianne Feinstein on Wednesday pushed back on calls for her resignation but asked to step away from the Judiciary Committee indefinitely while recovering from shingles, responding to mounting pressure from Democrats who have publicly vented concerns that she… Continue reading

“Arizona Rep. Liz Harris expelled from House of Representatives for ‘disorderly behavior'”

April 12, 2023, 7:16 pmfraudulent fraud squadRick Hasen

Arizona Republic: The Arizona House of Representatives voted to expel Rep. Liz Harris, R-Chandler after an ethics probe that found Harris engaged in “disorderly behavior” for bringing a guest to a public hearing who falsely accused lawmakers of taking bribes… Continue reading

“Special counsel focuses on Trump fundraising off false election claims”

April 12, 2023, 7:12 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

WaPo: Federal prosecutors probing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol have in recent weeks sought a wide range of documents related to fundraising after the 2020 election, looking to determine if former president Donald Trump or… Continue reading

“Trump Says He Won’t Drop Presidential Bid if Criminally Convicted”

April 12, 2023, 7:58 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

NYT: Former President Donald J. Trump said Tuesday that he would continue campaigning for the White House even if convicted of a crime. In his first national media interview since pleading not guilty last week to 34 felony charges related… Continue reading

“NEWS: DNC cuts ties with Dem super lawyer Elias”

April 12, 2023, 7:29 amelection law bizRick Hasen

Punchbowl: The Democratic National Committee is parting ways with Democratic super lawyer Marc Elias, multiple sources told us Tuesday. The DNC and Elias had a number of strategic disagreements, according to sources familiar with the internal deliberations. Elias has represented the DNC since 2009.… Continue reading