“DeSantis Faces F.E.C. Complaint Over His Campaign’s Ties With Super PAC”

December 19, 2023, 6:40 amUncategorizedCampaign finance, coordinationSpencer Overton

NYT: A campaign watchdog group filed a complaint on Monday with the Federal Election Commission against the campaign of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and a super PAC backing his presidential bid, accusing them of a “textbook example” of… Continue reading

“A lawsuit by Latinos in Kansas claims their city’s election method is unfair”

December 19, 2023, 6:37 amUncategorizedvote dilution, Voting Rights ActSpencer Overton

WaPo: DODGE CITY, Kan. — For the past 13 years, Hector Almendarez has picked up his hard hat every workday and driven down Wyatt Earp Avenue — passing the Cowboy Capital Saloon & Grill and the Boot Hill Museum,… Continue reading

“Cheektowaga faces challenge to election methods under new state voting rights law”

December 19, 2023, 6:35 amUncategorizedState Voting Rights Act, vote dilutionSpencer Overton

The Buffalo News: A former Cheektowaga Town Board candidate claims the town’s voting system prevents minority candidates from being elected and is urging officials to consider making a change. Ken Young, a Black resident who campaigned as a Democrat… Continue reading

“5th Circuit Upholds Strict Texas Voting Law, But Rules That Private Plaintiffs Can Enforce Civil Rights Law”

December 19, 2023, 6:33 amUncategorizedMateriality ProvisionSpencer Overton

From Democracy Docket: Last Friday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 opinion upholding Texas’ so-called “wet ink signature” law for voter registration, but affirming that private parties can sue under a consequential Civil … Continue reading

Five law profs file amicus in bribery/Hobbs Act case

December 19, 2023, 5:45 amUncategorizedbribery, Campaign financeSpencer Overton

The full brief, which was filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, is on SSRN: This brief—filed by five law professors as amici curiae in United States v. Sittenfeld, No. 23-3840 (6th Cir.)—argues that the… Continue reading

“Huntington Beach resident files suit in attempt to stop possible Voter ID requirement”

December 19, 2023, 5:36 amUncategorizedvoter IDSpencer Overton

Attorney Lee Fink flagged this ongoing litigation that was originally covered in November by the L.A. Times. Plenty of people have questioned a proposed Huntington Beach charter amendment that will be on March’s primary ballot that would require voters… Continue reading

“China, Russia, Iran and Cuba all tried to meddle in 2022 US congressional elections, intelligence assessment finds”

December 19, 2023, 2:03 amUncategorized2022 Election CycleSpencer Overton

CNN: Foreign government efforts to target the 2022 US midterm elections appeared to grow compared with the 2018 elections, according to a declassified intelligence assessment released Monday, with a “diverse and growing group of foreign actors” participating. There was… Continue reading

“Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to lie in repose at the Supreme Court”

December 18, 2023, 7:41 amUncategorizedSupreme CourtSpencer Overton

Washington Post: Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice will lie in repose Monday, where members of the public can pay their respects. O’Connor’s casket will arrive shortly before 9:30 a.m. and be placed in… Continue reading

“A ‘Delicate Matter’: Clarence Thomas’ Private Complaints About Money Sparked Fears He Would Resign”

December 18, 2023, 7:38 amUncategorizedSupreme CourtSpencer Overton

The latest from ProPublica: Interviews and newly unearthed documents reveal that Thomas, facing financial strain, privately pushed for a higher salary and to allow Supreme Court justices to take speaking fees.

“How Leonard Leo’s Dark Money Network Orchestrated a New Attack on the Voting Rights Act”

December 18, 2023, 7:23 amUncategorizedmoney in politics, Voting Rights ActSpencer Overton

Ari Berman in Mother Jones: On November 20, a three-judge panel on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that private plaintiffs could not bring lawsuits to enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, the key remaining provision… Continue reading

“Crypto titans launch 2024 election play with $78M super PAC spend”

December 18, 2023, 7:20 amUncategorizedCampaign financeSpencer Overton

Politico: A trio of super PACs backed by cryptocurrency executives and investors said Monday that they’ve raised $78 million as part of a major new push to influence the 2024 elections.The campaign, which has support from venture capital giant… Continue reading

Handing off blogging to Spencer Overton

December 17, 2023, 5:20 pmUncategorizedDerek Muller

Send your tips and questions to Spencer! I’m grateful for the opportunity to step in this week. And of course I’ll crop up now and again as Section 3 cases reach resolution….

German Constitutional Court decision on state subsidies to political parties

December 17, 2023, 5:16 pmcampaign finance, comparative election law, political partiesDerek Muller

Sam Issacharoff passes along this interesting January ruling from the German Constitutional Court. It found unconstitutional an increase in state subsidies to political parties on the grounds that the parties had an obligation to prove commitment from their constituents. The… Continue reading