ProPublica Report on Judicial Recusal

July 16, 2024, 10:06 amconflict of interest laws, court decisionsDan Tokaji

Released today: A ProPublica analysis found a lack of transparency regarding conflicts plagues federal and state courts where loose rules, inconsistent enforcement and creative interpretations of guidelines routinely allow judges to withhold potential conflicts from the parties before them.… Continue reading

“Elon Musk Has Said He Is Committing Around $45 Million a Month to a New Pro-Trump Super PAC”

July 16, 2024, 10:02 amcampaign financeDan Tokaji

WSJ Exclusive: “Elon Musk has said he plans to commit around $45 million a month to a new super political-action committee backing former President Donald Trump’s presidential run, according to people familiar with the matter.”

“How JD Vance passed Trump’s running mate litmus test”

July 16, 2024, 6:33 amelection subversion riskDan Tokaji

MSNBC’s Ryan Teague Beckwith calls J.D. Vance “the most vocal election denier among Trump’s small circle of finalists, having claimed without evidence since his 2022 run for the Senate that the election was stolen,” and lists false or unsupported claims… Continue reading

“Kennedy and West third-party ballot drives are pushed by secretive groups and Republican donors”

July 16, 2024, 6:25 amballot access, campaign finance, third partiesDan Tokaji

AP reports: “With early voting for the November presidential election set to begin in late September in some states, there are signs across the country that groups are trying to affect the outcome by using deceptive means — and… Continue reading

“Trump’s authoritarian lean appeals to the right. Swing voters, not so much”

July 16, 2024, 5:31 amauthoritarian threats in US, political polarizationDan Tokaji

Aaron Blake in WaPo, on a new Monmouth poll “suggest[ing] that if Democrats can drive home the idea that a second Trump term would be a more authoritarian one, that could alienate the most crucial 2024 voters, the ‘double… Continue reading

Biden & DNC Run Out the Clock

July 16, 2024, 5:14 amballot access, political partiesDan Tokaji

NYT reports that the DNC is planning to have Democratic delegates vote as soon as next week: Leaders of the Democratic National Committee are moving swiftly to confirm President Biden as his party’s presidential nominee by the end of July,… Continue reading

“Mayor Adams’ Reelection Campaign Raked in More Than $1 Million as Opponents Circle”

July 16, 2024, 5:01 amcampaign financeDan Tokaji

The City: “[NYC] Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign reported raising more than $1 million from 1,472 donors in the first half of 2024, a show of strength that outperformed his rivals in the 2025 mayoral race.” It also reports that… Continue reading

“The campaign is getting real for political donors”

July 16, 2024, 4:27 amcampaign financeDan Tokaji

Politico on April-to-June campaign finance reports, filed with the FEC on Monday: “Donald Trump put up a roaring fundraising quarter, harnessing large and small donors to vanquish President Joe Biden’s cash advantage — and refilling the coffers of the national… Continue reading

“Complaint asks Kemp to remove three State Election Board members”

July 16, 2024, 4:18 amelection administrationDan Tokaji

AJC: A Fulton County election official has asked Gov. Brian Kemp to remove three members of the State Election Board and its executive director over actions that may have violated Georgia’s open meetings law. On Friday, three Republican members… Continue reading

The Michigan Trump/RNC complaint is a mess

July 15, 2024, 9:40 pmNVRA (motor voter), The Voting WarsJustin Levitt

Justin here. Here’s the complaint for the RNC/Trump Michigan lawsuit Dan flagged earlier today. It’s a mess. I think this may be the second lawsuit that the 2024 Trump campaign has filed directly as a plaintiff, behind the Nevada … Continue reading

Trump Campaign & RNC Sue Michigan Officials Over Voter Registration Activities

July 15, 2024, 2:58 pmvoter registrationDan Tokaji

Detroit Free Press reports: The campaign of former President Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee have filed a lawsuit against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, alleging the state has violated the National Voter… Continue reading

Bipartisan Group of Election Officials and Experts Condemn Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump

July 15, 2024, 2:38 pmUncategorizedDan Tokaji

You can find the statement here. Signatories include Brad Raffensperger, Jocelyn Benson, Scott Schwab, and Trey Grayson.

Dangerous Times: Trump Chooses Election Denier JD Vance as VP Nominee

July 15, 2024, 1:15 pmauthoritarian threats in US, election subversion riskRick Hasen

NYT on JD Vance: Election denial: He has not committed to accepting the results of this year’s election. “If we have a free and fair election, I will accept the results,” he said on CNN in May. It’s a caveat… Continue reading

“Don’t Overread the Court’s Immunity Opinion”

July 15, 2024, 12:49 pmUncategorizedNed Foley

ELB readers might be interested in this Lawfare analysis. Its subheading: “Chief Justice Roberts gives neither Trump nor any future president a green light to tyranny, as some initial reactions to his opinion fear.” Its opening paragraph: The Supreme… Continue reading