“With new leaders, Maricopa County’s well-guarded elections may see shake-up”

December 4, 2024, 11:23 pmelection administrationJustin Levitt

An important new piece from Votebeat on the division of responsibilities in Maricopa (and negotiation of new relationships) between the recorder and the board of supervisors.

2024 BPC Elections Summit

December 3, 2024, 10:16 pmelection administrationJustin Levitt

Looks like a spectacular packed roster for the Bipartisan Policy Center’s 2024 Elections Summit — academics, nonprofits, election officials, legislators, commissioners, you name it — on Wednesday, 8am-5pm ET. YouTube seats still available.

“What We Saw on Our Platforms During 2024’s Global Elections”

December 3, 2024, 10:15 pmcheap speech, chicaneryJustin Levitt

A description from Meta about the state of their social media in the recent election cycle (including covert foreign influence operations Meta says it detected and quashed). Of course, it’d be nice if there were enough transparency to allow for… Continue reading

“The new question ballot-measure pollsters have to ask”

December 3, 2024, 10:14 pmballot access, direct democracyJustin Levitt

Politico highlights something California voters saw for the first time this year: 5 supporters and 5 opponents for each ballot measure, right on the ballot.

More mail ballot deadline controversy in Mississippi

December 3, 2024, 10:14 pmabsentee ballots, The Voting WarsJustin Levitt

Advocates protest an apparent conversion of the day after Thanksgiving to a work day, limiting the opportunities for curing mail ballot errors potentially relevant in a very tight Supreme Court race.

“Whitmer signs bills restricting firearms at Michigan polling places, vote counting centers”

December 3, 2024, 10:13 pmThe Voting WarspollworkersJustin Levitt

At least a few election workers are likely breathing just a bit easier.

“How billionaires took over U.S. elections”

December 3, 2024, 10:12 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

Marketplace does the numbers … and I’m not sure this accounts for the value of billionaire-driven social media.

“Most Portlanders understood ranked-choice election, poll finds, but there’s work to do”

December 3, 2024, 10:12 pmalternative voting systemsJustin Levitt

Interesting follow-up exit polling on Portland’s new system. The city’s report is here.

“The National Popular Vote (NPV) Proposal for U.S. Presidential Elections Undermines Election Integrity”

December 3, 2024, 10:11 pmelectoral collegeaudits, national popular voteJustin Levitt

H/t to Sean Parnell for the new paper by Ron Rivest and Philip Stark: National Popular Vote (NPV) Interstate Compact [Koza et al., 2024] attempts to provide direct presidential elections in the U.S. without a constitutional amendment, through a binding… Continue reading

Reminder: Book Event

December 3, 2024, 9:17 amUncategorizedNed Foley

On Tuesday, December 10 (one week from today), AEI is hosting an event to discuss the forthcoming book Electoral Reform in the United States: Proposals for Combating Polarization and Extremism. Details on the event, and a link to RSVP… Continue reading

Today, of course, is Election Day

December 2, 2024, 11:41 pmvotingGeorgia RunoffJustin Levitt

Your regular reminder that the 2024 elections aren’t over, and I’m not just talking about the counting and certifying. Local runoffs in Georgia are today, and runoffs (and state constitutional amendments) in Louisiana are Saturday.

“Meta loses appeal, must pay $24.6M for WA campaign finance violations”

December 2, 2024, 11:40 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The Seattle Times reports on Monday’s appellate decision regarding violations of Washington’s disclosure law. The state’s Public Disclosure Commission is quoted as saying the judgment is believed to be the largest fine imposed for campaign finance violations in U.S. history.

Tied MN House hinges on 14-ballot win in race with 20 destroyed uncounted votes

December 2, 2024, 11:40 pmelection administration, recountscontestsJustin Levitt

Yikes. There’s a reason the Election Administrator’s unofficial prayer is “High Turnout, Wide Margins.” The challenger’s initial election contest filing effectively calling for a new election is here.

“Misinformation exploits outrage to spread online”

December 2, 2024, 11:38 pmcheap speechJustin Levitt

I’m really looking forward to reading this new paper in Science (Killian L. McLoughlin, William J. Brady, Aden Goolsbee, Ben Kaiser, Kate Klonick, and M. J. Crockett.) With a bonus thread by Crockett on the process to get there…