“Donald Trump prepares for his return to Facebook and Twitter”

January 18, 2023, 7:30 amcheap speechRick Hasen

NBC News: Mounting a comeback for the White House, Donald Trump is looking to regain control over his powerful social media accounts. With access to his Twitter account back, Trump’s campaign is formally petitioning Facebook’s parent company to unblock his… Continue reading

“Democracies in the Age of Fragmentation”

January 18, 2023, 6:07 amUncategorizedRichard Pildes

The California Law Review has now published this article of mine with the above title. It was also gratifying to see Tom Edsall quoting from this piece in his essay in today’s NYTimes. The article is part of a Symposium… Continue reading

“Appeals Court UPHOLDS Arizona’s Mail-In Voting Laws, Blasts AZGOP/Kelli Ward Arguments (READ Decision)”

January 17, 2023, 12:07 pmabsentee ballotsRick Hasen

AZ Law: Arizona’s mail-in voting system is not unconstitutional, the Court of Appeals ruled today, blasting a lawsuit filed last year by the Arizona Republican Party and Chairwoman Kelli Ward. The unanimous decision upholds the previous dismissal of the case.… Continue reading

“Google Didn’t Show Bias in Filtering Campaign-Ad Pitches, FEC Says”

January 17, 2023, 10:24 amcheap speech, federal election commissionRick Hasen

WSJ: The Federal Election Commission has dismissed a complaint from Republicans that Google’s Gmail app aided Democratic candidates by sending GOP fundraising emails to spam at a far higher rate than Democratic solicitations. The Republican National Committee and others contended… Continue reading

“Issue One reveals who profited from election denialism in 2022”

January 17, 2023, 10:20 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

Release: As election-denying secretary of state candidates spouted rhetoric that eroded people’s faith in our free and fair elections, political operatives behind the scenes were raking in the dough. A new Issue One review of state campaign finance filings highlights… Continue reading

“The Constitution Should Not Be a Suicide Pact w/ Rick Hasen”

January 17, 2023, 7:38 amcheap speech, election subversion riskRick Hasen

I spoke to the Democracy Nerd podcast about my Cheap Speech book and ongoing threats to democracy. Listen here.

Announcing the Free Spring Webinar Series for the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA Law, Opening with Rachel Maddow Event Jan. 26

January 17, 2023, 7:01 amelection subversion riskRick Hasen

I’m very pleased to announce the Spring 2022 webinar series for UCLA Law’s Safeguarding Democracy Project. All events are free and online, but require registration. Details: January 26 – What “Ultra” Can Teach Us About Threats to American Democracy… Continue reading

“Republicans have already filed dozens of bills to restrict voting in 2023”

January 17, 2023, 6:52 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Kira Lerner for The Guardian: Republican lawmakers across the country have already filed dozens of bills that would restrict voting, including proposals in Texas that would increase criminal penalties on people who violate voting laws and enact a new law… Continue reading

Today’s Must-Read: “What the Jan. 6 probe found out about social media, but didn’t report”

January 17, 2023, 6:46 amcheap speech, election subversion riskRick Hasen

WaPo: The Jan. 6 committee spent months gathering stunning new details on how social media companies failed to address the online extremism and calls for violence that precededthe Capitol riot. The evidence they collected was written up in a 122-page … Continue reading

“Billions at stake as online fundraising practices turn off voters”

January 17, 2023, 6:38 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Politico: That advice reflects a recognition among digital campaign staffers that text and email programs have gone from innovative to out of hand, to the point that it’s harming the campaign ecosystem. The rate of return on individual appeals is… Continue reading

“Failed Republican candidate arrested in shootings targeting Democratic politicians’ homes”

January 17, 2023, 6:35 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Albuquerque Journal: Albuquerque police on Monday arrested the man they say is the “mastermind” behind a recent string of shootings targeting Democratic lawmakers’ homes. The suspect, Solomon Pena, is a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for office in November, has made… Continue reading

“Part I: Alaska’s constitutional convention spending spree”

January 17, 2023, 6:21 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

The Fulcrum: This is the first of four parts in an exclusive weekly series of articles in The Fulcrum by J.H. Snider on Alaska’s 2022 periodic constitutional convention referendum. Part I describes the spending spree over the referendum. Part II proposes… Continue reading

“GOP action on mail ballot timelines angers military families”

January 17, 2023, 6:16 ammilitary votingRick Hasen

LAT. [corrected link]

“Records Show George Santos Made Questionable Payments to Vendors”

January 16, 2023, 4:14 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Newsday: Campaign committees tied to Rep. George Santos paid tens of thousands of dollars to newly formed companies with opaque histories and meager track records of working for other candidates, a Newsday review ofstate and federal filings shows. Election… Continue reading