“Groundbreaking New Institute Launched to Combat Dangers of AI & Disinformation on Democracy”

November 7, 2023, 2:02 pmcheap speechRick Hasen

Release: Today, California Common Cause launched a trailblazing new entity – the California Institute for Technology and Democracy (“CITED”) – to fight back against the threats that artificial intelligence, disinformation, deepfakes, and other emerging technologies pose to our elections. The… Continue reading

“Conservative lawyers to launch Society for Rule of Law to counter Maga movement”

November 7, 2023, 10:10 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

The Independent: A group of preeminent conservative lawyers who opposed former president Donald Trump’s efforts to manipulate the legal system are launching a new, long-term project aimed at fostering respect for the US constitution and the rule of law… Continue reading

Commission on Presidential Debates questions: the RNC, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the CPD’s future

November 7, 2023, 8:21 amelectoral collegeDerek Muller

The Commission on Presidential Debates essentially took over responsibility for coordinating the major general election presidential debates in every cycle since 1988. There are a few points of intrigue at the moment ahead of the 2024 election. First, the… Continue reading

“Terrifying Reports About Trump’s Plans for a Second Term Have One Bright Spot”

November 7, 2023, 7:46 amDepartment of Justice, election subversion riskRick Hasen

I have written this piece for Slate. it begins: On Sunday, the Washington Post reported on Donald Trump’s plans to turn the Department of Justice into a department of “revenge” targeting perceived adversaries if he retakes the White House in… Continue reading

“Trump belief that 2020 election was stolen is not a defense, DOJ says”

November 7, 2023, 7:42 amchicanery, election subversion riskRick Hasen

WaPo: Special counsel prosecutors said Monday they plan to show at trial that Donald Trump lied repeatedly about the results of the 2020 election as part of a conspiracy to subvert the legitimate results. But they also said they don’t… Continue reading

“Vote Centers Are Open In Santa Ana’s Recall Election. But Is The Election Valid?”

November 7, 2023, 7:40 amrecall elections, redistrictingRick Hasen

LAist: Vote centers are open in the recall election of Santa Ana City Councilmember Jessie Lopez, but it’s unclear whether the election is legal. That’s because the Orange County registrar of voters recently concluded the city was using the wrong… Continue reading

New York: “Two Competing City Council Campaigns in Brooklyn Paid the Same Lawyer and ConsultantsNew York: “

November 7, 2023, 7:31 amcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

The City: Amber Adler, a Democrat, and Igor Kazatsker, an independent on the “Team Trump” line, are theoretically running against each other — and against incumbent Republican Inna Vernikov in this month’s City Council race for South Brooklyn’s 48th District.But… Continue reading

Nov. 16 Safeguarding Democracy Project Webinar: “Covering the Risks to Elections on the State and Local Level: Views from the Beat Reporters” (Free Registration Required)

November 7, 2023, 7:18 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

Join us for the final SDP webinar of the semester, Nov. 16 at noon pacific. Featuring a great set of panelists: Jonathan Lai (Philadelphia Inquirer, Politico), Carrie Levine (Votebeat), Patrick Marley (WaPo), and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (WaPo). Moderated by… Continue reading

“Prosecutors Assail Trump’s Bid to Have Federal Election Case Dismissed”

November 6, 2023, 5:36 pmelection subversion riskRick Hasen

NYT: Federal prosecutors on Monday asked a judge to reject a barrage of motions filed last month by former President Donald J. Trump that sought to toss out the indictment charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election and… Continue reading

When might the Supreme Court weigh in on Section 3 challenges to Trump’s access to the ballot?

November 6, 2023, 11:16 amSupreme CourtDerek Muller

The drumbeat for several months has been, “Whatever happens with these state-level challenges to Trump’s candidacy, the Supreme Court will have the final word.” That’s possible, and even likely, but not guaranteed. And if (an if, not a when) the… Continue reading

My Book, “A Real Right to Vote” Now Available for Preorder (Out Feb. 20); Free Preview of Introduction Now Available

November 6, 2023, 7:44 amReal Right to VoteRick Hasen

My book, A Real Right to Vote: How a Constitutional Amendment Can Safeguard American Democracy, publishes Feb. 20 and should hopefully be available a bit earlier for those who might want to assign it in a Winter or Spring… Continue reading

“Trump Indictments Haven’t Sunk His Campaign, but a Conviction Might”

November 6, 2023, 7:36 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

NYT: For Donald J. Trump, a new set of New York Times/Siena College polls captures a stunning, seemingly contradictory picture. His 91 felony charges in four different jurisdictions have not significantly hurt him among voters in battleground states. Yet he… Continue reading

“Trump and allies plot revenge, Justice Department control in a second term”

November 6, 2023, 7:32 amDepartment of Justice, election subversion riskRick Hasen

WaPo: Donald Trump and his allies have begun mapping out specific plans for using the federal government to punish critics and opponents should he win a second term, with the former president naming individuals he wants to investigate or prosecute… Continue reading

“Shifting ground: Georgia’s redistricting redo part of a national battle”

November 6, 2023, 7:29 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Mark Niesse for AJC: A court-ordered redistricting do-over in Georgia put one U.S. House seat in play — a potential pickup for Democrats — but the state is far from alone. Lawsuits over representation and discrimination are playing out across… Continue reading

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The law of politics and the politics of law