“Senate Republicans Eye Limits on Judicial Power in Tax Bill”

June 16, 2025, 5:56 amauthoritarian threats in USTabatha Abu El-Haj

Democracy is more than elections. Checks and balances are at further risk. From Bloomberg: “The provision would bar federal judges from issuing a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order against the federal government, unless the challengers had put up… Continue reading

“2024 Broke the Democrats. Can They Put Themselves Back Together?

June 16, 2025, 5:43 ampolitical parties, primaries, voting, Voting Rights ActTabatha Abu El-Haj

Fascinating episode from Reveal that speaks to a range of issues of interest to readers of this Blog, from the NYC mayoral race to the appeal of Donald Trump among Latino voters to the future of VRA and the political… Continue reading

Since the Shift to Primary Elections for Choosing the Parties’ Presidential Nominees, Experience in DC Has Changed from Being a Plus to a Minus

June 15, 2025, 12:05 pmUncategorizedRichard Pildes

Bruce Mehlman, at Mehlman Consulting, has put together this data showing a dramatic shift that takes place in the late 1960s/1970s about whether lengthy prior experience in Washington, DC appears to be an advantage or a disadvantage in presidential elections.… Continue reading

My Statement: Thoughts on the Despicable Assassination (and Attempted Assassination) of Minnesota Legislators, the Rise in Political Violence in the United States, and the Threats to Free and Fair Elections

June 14, 2025, 12:18 pmauthoritarian threats in US, chicaneryRick Hasen

Violence directed at innocent people is abhorrent and political violence even more so because it is an attack not just on people but on the institution of democracy itself and an attempt to change government not through elections but through… Continue reading

Nate Cohn: “Is There an Opening for a Third Party?”

June 14, 2025, 11:21 amthird partiesRick Hasen

NYT’s “The Tilt” newsletter: Of all of Elon Musk’s explosive X posts last week during his public sparring with President Trump, perhaps the one that received the least attention was his call for a third party. Even if… Continue reading

“New Hampshire jury acquits consultant behind AI robocalls mimicking Biden on all charges”

June 14, 2025, 11:07 amcheap speech, chicaneryRick Hasen

AP: A political consultant who sent artificial intelligence-generated robocalls mimicking former President Joe Biden to New Hampshire Democrats last year was acquitted Friday of voter suppression and impersonating a candidate. Steven Kramer, 56, of New Orleans, admitted orchestrating a message… Continue reading

“Trump’s financial disclosures reveal millions in income from guitars, bibles and watches with his name on them”

June 13, 2025, 3:59 pmconflict of interest lawsRick Hasen

NBC News: President Donald Trump continues to enjoy income streams from scores of luxury properties and business ventures, many of which are worth tens of millions of dollars, according to a financial disclosure form filed late Friday. Released… Continue reading

“Billionaire Michael Bloomberg opens his wallet for Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral bid”

June 13, 2025, 12:59 pmcampaign finance, Plutocrats UnitedRick Hasen

Politico: Billionaire Michael Bloomberg was no fan of Andrew Cuomo when the two served overlapping tenures as mayor and governor. But on Friday all appeared forgiven, with Bloomberg’s $5 million donation to a super PAC boosting Cuomo’s mayoral bid. It’s… Continue reading

“Colorado Strengthens Access to Ballots in Spanish”

June 13, 2025, 10:45 amVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

Bolts: With these voters in mind, Colorado lawmakers this spring adopted reforms that will improve access to ballots in Spanish, which should benefit tens of thousands of voters. Senate Bill 1, a landmark package called the Colorado Voting Rights… Continue reading

June and July ELB Bloggers

June 13, 2025, 10:25 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Here’s the revised schedule. Please send your tips and queries to the ELB contributor on duty that week: Week of June 16, 2025Tabatha Abu El-HajWeek of June 23, 2025Justin LevittWeek of June 30, 2025Rick PildesWeek of July 7, 2025Guy CharlesWeek… Continue reading

“Ex-New York Assembly Candidate Charged With Campaign Finance Fraud”

June 13, 2025, 10:24 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

NYT: A former New York State Assembly candidate used fake donations and forged signatures to fraudulently inflate the share of public matching funds he received in last year’s election, federal prosecutors said on Friday. The former candidate, Dao Yin, was… Continue reading

ES&S Responds to NYDN Editorial Against Its Voting Machine

June 13, 2025, 9:22 amvoting technologyRick Hasen

In response to the New York Daily News editorial that I linked to, ES&S sends along this reply: Paper ballots? Yes! By Tierra Williams, ES&S Regional Manager, New York It’s true: good old paper remains the best way to run… Continue reading

“Nevada GOP governor vetoes voter ID bill that he pushed for in a deal with Democrats”

June 13, 2025, 7:38 amelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter idRick Hasen

AP: Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo unexpectedly vetoed a bill on Thursday that would have required voters in the swing state to show a photo ID at the polls — a conservative priority across the country and something that has… Continue reading

“Parts of Trump’s executive order on elections blocked by a federal court”

June 13, 2025, 7:29 amelection administration, election subversion riskRick Hasen

Votebeat: A federal judge Friday issued a second preliminary injunction blocking some provisions of the sweeping executive order on elections that President Donald Trump signed in March. Judge Denise Casper blocked provisions ordering the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to take… Continue reading