Fifth Circuit Affirms Holding that Louisiana Likely Violated Voting Rights Act in Drawing Congressional Districts, Requires New Maps Be Drawn By January

November 11, 2023, 5:15 amVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

The unanimous panel decision not only found that the state likely violated Section 2 in failing to create a second black majority congressional district. It also rejected the state’s argument that private plaintiffs have no right to sue under Section… Continue reading

Michael McConnell and Will Baude Debate Finding Trump Ineligible under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment

November 11, 2023, 5:12 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

Federalist Society video. (h/t Howard Bashman)

“Harris County 2022 election results stand after judge dismisses GOP challenges”

November 10, 2023, 6:19 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

Houston Chronicle: The results of Harris County’s highly scrutinized November 2022 election were upheld Thursday evening by a judge, who threw out all but one remaining election contest out of 21 related lawsuits. Republican candidate Erin Lunceford filed her suit… Continue reading

“A lot of Americans embrace Trump’s authoritarianism”

November 10, 2023, 5:40 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

Philip Bump: CNN’s most recent polling, conducted by SSRS, shows that Trump leads Biden nationally by a 4-point margin, statistically even. Even given Trump’s response to the 2020 election, though, and the myriad criminal charges he faces, respondents were five… Continue reading

“Democrats’ Strong Election Night Will Likely Shield Ballot Access in Pennsylvania”

November 10, 2023, 12:19 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

Bolts: The next presidential election may still be a year away, but voters in the nation’s biggest swing state just selected the public officials who will be in charge of running it. And much like in other parts of the… Continue reading

“How the GOP muzzled the quiet coalition that fought foreign propaganda”

November 10, 2023, 10:54 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

NBC News: once-robust alliance of federal agencies, tech companies, election officials and researchers that worked together to thwart foreign propaganda and disinformation has fragmented after years of sustained Republican attacks. The GOP offensive started during the 2020 election as public… Continue reading

Trump and Retribution

November 10, 2023, 9:09 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

Semafor: On Retribution. The Washington Post recently reported that Trump and his allies have been mapping plans to use the government to investigate former cabinet members who have criticized him, among other paths to pursue payback against critics and perceived enemies.… Continue reading

Breaking: Fifth Circuit Panel, While Affirming that Galveston, Texas Violated the Voting Rights Act, Calls for En Banc Rehearing So They Can Rule Against Galveston

November 10, 2023, 9:04 amVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

Well this is an interesting (and disturbing) order. A Fifth Circuit panel has unanimously held that the district lines for the legislative body in Galveston County, Texas violates the Voting Rights Act as currently interpreted by the 5th Circuit by… Continue reading

“Election offices are sent envelopes with fentanyl or other substances. Authorities are investigating”

November 9, 2023, 3:51 pmelection subversion riskRick Hasen

AP: Authorities were hunting Thursday for whoever sent suspicious letters — including some containing fentanyl — to elections offices in at least five states this week, delaying the counting of ballots in some local races in the latest instance of… Continue reading

“A High-Risk Legal Effort to Keep Trump Off the Ballot”

November 9, 2023, 3:38 pmUncategorizedRick Hasen

Sue Halpern in the New Yorker: Minnesota is one of three states in which nonprofits have recruited high-profile voters, including current and former Republicans, to file Section 3 lawsuits. A similar case in Michigan, brought by F.S.F.P. together with… Continue reading

“Options for U.S. Federal Involvement in Elections”

November 9, 2023, 2:45 pmelection administrationRick Hasen

New BPC report: Amid growing threats to election infrastructure and the increased complexity of administering elections, legislators have an opportunity to reassess how the federal government helps state and local officials ensure secure, accessible, and trusted elections. Over the past… Continue reading

Manchin seeking to “mobilize the middle” rather than run for reelection

November 9, 2023, 12:11 pmUncategorizedNed Foley

Link to video announcement. Is he referring to possible No Label’s presidential ticket, accentuating the concern of a potential spoiler effect? Or is he referring to a broader effort to create some sort of centrist third-party movement, of the… Continue reading

Is it too late to avoid a spoiler effect in 2024?

November 9, 2023, 8:08 amUncategorizedNed Foley

The recent polling by Siena College, in partnership with the New York Times, has highlighted the risk that Robert Kennedy, Jr. will play the role of a spoiler next year–and that’s even without the addition of a potential… Continue reading

“Echoes of Jan. 6 committee as Jack Smith foreshadows plan to tie Trump to Capitol riot”

November 9, 2023, 7:18 amDepartment of Justice, election subversion riskRick Hasen

Politico: When Donald Trump faces a jury on charges stemming from his bid to subvert the 2020 election, he wants to prohibit federal prosecutors from even mentioning the chaos and violence unleashed by his supporters at the Capitol on Jan.… Continue reading