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

“With more costs to come, Shasta County will spend $950,000 on new voting system”

April 7, 2023, 1:11 pmchicanery, election administrationJustin Levitt

The $950,000 is apparently for “the equipment needed to hand-count ballots”; the final bill will also include personnel costs estimated at more than $1.6 million.

Virginia sued over restoration of rights for people with convictions

April 7, 2023, 1:10 pmfelon votingJustin Levitt

The return to permanent disenfranchisement with a wholly discretionary process for the governor to grant re-enfranchisement has now drawn a federal lawsuit.

“‘What the court misunderstood is just how fragile our democracy is’”

April 7, 2023, 1:09 pmVoting Rights ActJustin Levitt

An interview with Debo Adegbile, who argued Shelby County, about the anniversary of the case and its legacy ten years on.

“Voting in Other Languages: Registration Hindered By Lack of Translation”

April 7, 2023, 1:08 pmelection administration, political equality, voter registrationJustin Levitt

A deep dive on language access in New York.

“Beyond the Spoiler Effect: Can Ranked Choice Voting Solve the Problem of Political Polarization?”

April 7, 2023, 11:38 amUncategorizedranked choice votingNed Foley

Nate Atkinson, Scott Ganz and I have co-authored a new article, to be published in the Illinois Law Review, and now posted on SSRN in its current draft. The article is based on computer simulations that Nate and Scott… Continue reading

Congrats to Election Law Prof, and ELB Contributor, Ned Foley, Winner of A Guggenheim

April 7, 2023, 9:55 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Well deserved Ned! And congrats to my UCLA colleague Scott Cummings and UC Davis prof Mary Ziegler, whose work on campaign finance and abortion is next up on my reading list!

Breaking: DC Circuit Decides Case About “Obstruct[ing]” “Official Proceedings” with Major Implications for Prosecution of January 6 Rioters for Invading U.S. Capitol, and Potentially Trump

April 7, 2023, 9:11 amelection subversion risk, legislation and legislatures, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

A divided three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit, siding with almost all of the district court decisions considering the question, has held that some of those who invaded the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 could be charged under a… Continue reading

How Fox Chased Its Audience Down the Rabbit Hole

April 6, 2023, 5:55 pmchicanery, election subversion riskJustin Levitt

Jim Rutenberg in the NYT Magazine with a deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep dive on how we got to the Dominion defamation lawsuit.

ProPublica blockbuster on undisclosed gifts to Justice Thomas

April 6, 2023, 5:55 pmethics investigationsJustin Levitt

Here’s an excerpt: For more than two decades, Thomas has accepted luxury trips virtually every year from the Dallas businessman [Harlan Crow] without disclosing them, documents and interviews show. A public servant who has a salary of $285,000, he… Continue reading

Tennessee House Expels Two Members Over Gun Reform Protest

April 6, 2023, 5:54 pmlegislation and legislaturesJustin Levitt

There were three expulsion resolutions pending Thursday morning, based on three members (Justin Pearson, Justin Jones, and Gloria Johnson) leading gun violence reformers in a protest from the floor of the House chamber after they hadn’t otherwise been recognized… Continue reading