Fox News defamation suit settles

April 9, 2023, 6:16 pmchicanery, election subversion riskJustin Levitt

No, not those suits. This is the settlement of a separate defamation suit by Venezuelan businessman Majed Khalil, based on comments on Lou Dobbs’s show on Dec. 10, 2020. Khalil was roped into the Dominion/Smartmatic conspiracy nonsense, but… Continue reading

It’s tricky for different sovereigns to run related investigations at the same time

April 9, 2023, 3:02 pmDepartment of Justice, election subversion riskJustin Levitt

And the NYT walks through some of the practicalities with respect to the Trump investigations by the special federal prosecutor in DC and county prosecutors in Georgia. More on the Georgia case here.

“New report outlines the deep political polarization’s slow and steady march”

April 9, 2023, 3:01 pmpolitical polarization, redistrictingJustin Levitt

The WaPo with highlights from Dave Wasserman’s latest report, blogged here.

“Big money is flooding into the Philly mayor’s election. Here’s how it’s shaping the race.”

April 9, 2023, 3:01 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The Philadelphia Inquirer with a compilation of the self-funding, SuperPAC spending, and big-dollar checks driving the race. One former city councilmember has cited the flood of big money as the reason for suspending her mayoral campaign.

“The Wisconsin Supreme Court election cost $40 million. There could be a better way.”

April 9, 2023, 3:00 pmcampaign finance, judicial electionsJustin Levitt

Alicia Bannon on NPR’s Weekend Edition about reforming judicial elections.

“‘Can I vote?’ Florida’s new elections bill leaves voters in the dark — by design”

April 9, 2023, 3:00 pmelection administration, The Voting WarsJustin Levitt

The Miami Herald Editorial Board on the new bill moving through the Florida legislature.

NY trial court finds constitutional right to cast primary write-in for candidate who’s not a member of the party

April 9, 2023, 2:59 pmelection law and constitutional law, political parties, primariesJustin Levitt

Friday’s decision is here, with a little more illumination from the earlier hearing transcript here.

“To harness the political power of young voters, teach civics”

April 9, 2023, 2:58 pmUncategorizedJustin Levitt

Lauren Cristella, of the Committee of Seventy, highlights the infrastructure behind the infrastructure of democracy.

Looks like Justin Jones could be back in the Tennessee legislature as soon as Monday

April 8, 2023, 1:44 pmlegislation and legislaturesJustin Levitt

There will eventually be a special election for House District 52, but in the meantime, the Tennessee Constitution allows the legislative body of the district’s county of residence to appoint an interim representative. And now the Nashville Metropolitan Council, the… Continue reading

“A study confirms it: Tennessee’s democracy really is as bad as the expulsions made you think”

April 8, 2023, 1:43 pmelection administration, redistrictingJustin Levitt

Vox on Jake Grumbach’s State Democracy Index.

“For DeSantis, Overflowing War Chest Obscures the Challenges Ahead”

April 8, 2023, 1:43 pmcampaign finance, campaignsJustin Levitt

A fair amount of this NYT piece is about the various PACs that support DeSantis, how much they matter, and what they can legally do with the money they’ve got.

“How Herschel Walker’s Wife Tried—and Failed—to Profit Off His Campaign”

April 8, 2023, 1:42 pmcampaigns, election law bizJustin Levitt

Some insight into the economics of media buys, and the potential for profit therein.

Kari Lake tries to make election denial a litmus test for 2024

April 8, 2023, 1:41 pmchicanery, election subversion riskJustin Levitt

But not with particular subtlety. And I think you should get even more specific, ‘Was the 2022 election for governor in Arizona stolen?’ And if they won’t say ‘Absolutely, yes,’ that’s a big red flag,” she added. “That’s a… Continue reading

Justice Thomas addresses ProPublica report on luxury travel gifts

April 7, 2023, 1:14 pmethics investigations, Supreme CourtJustin Levitt

NPR has his full statement: Harlan and Kathy Crow are among our dearest friends, and we have been friends for over twenty-five years. As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family trips during the more… Continue reading