“What America Can Learn from Australia”

August 27, 2025, 7:12 pmUncategorizedNed Foley

I was honored to be a Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the University of Melbourne this summer (well, winter in Australia). The fellowship was a wonderful opportunity to get to know members of the university’s superb faculty, especially at its… Continue reading

“Louisiana urges Supreme Court to bar use of race in redistricting, in attack on Voting Rights Act”

August 27, 2025, 3:22 pmSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Mark Sherman for the AP: Louisiana on Wednesday abandoned its defense of a political map that elected two Black members of Congress and instead called on the Supreme Court to reject any consideration of race in redistricting in a case… Continue reading

California Supreme Court, Over No Noted Dissents, Will Allow Special Election over California Redistricting to Go Forward; There Will Likely Be Post Election Challenges to the Redistricting If the Measure Passes

August 27, 2025, 1:26 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Details via At the Lectern.

“Fresh off Texas Senate’s approval, new congressional map is target of lawsuits”

August 27, 2025, 7:49 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Texas Tribune: Hours after the Texas Senate approved a new congressional map early Saturday morning that more heavily favors Republicans — legislation Gov. Greg Abbott plans to “swiftly” sign into law — a lawsuit against the governor was filed, alleging… Continue reading

“Justice Dept. Broadens Inquiry Into Key Players in Russia Investigation”

August 27, 2025, 7:45 amauthoritarian threats in US, chicanery, Department of JusticeRick Hasen

NYT: Pursuing a theory promoted by Trump loyalists, the Justice Department is investigating whether F.B.I. officials during and after the Biden administration tried to hide or secretly destroy documents that might cast doubt on the earlier inquiry into Russia’s attempt… Continue reading

“Silicon Valley Pledges $200 Million to New Pro-A.I. Super PACs”

August 27, 2025, 7:44 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT: Silicon Valley corporations and investors, emboldened by President Trump’s embrace of the technology and crypto industries, have pledged up to $200 million to two new super PACs that are aimed at forcing out politicians whom they see as insufficiently… Continue reading

“Trump privately pushed top state lawmakers to redistrict”

August 27, 2025, 7:42 amredistrictingRick Hasen

WaPo: President Donald Trump privately pushed Indiana’s top GOPlawmakers to redraw their state’s congressional maps this week, while outside allies lodged a pressure campaign, part of an increasingly urgent effort to help Republicans preserve their narrow majority in next year’s… Continue reading

“A Dark Money Group Is Secretly Funding High-Profile Democratic Influencers”

August 27, 2025, 7:40 amcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Wired: In a private group chat in June, dozens of Democratic political influencers discussed whether to take advantage of an enticing opportunity. They were being offered $8,000 per month to take part in a secretive program aimed at bolstering Democratic messaging… Continue reading

“What to Expect Next in the Trump Administration’s Strategy to Meddle with the Vote”

August 27, 2025, 7:37 amauthoritarian threats in US, election administrationRick Hasen

New Brennan Center report: Last Monday, President Trump posted on social media that he would sign an executive order aimed at eliminating mail voting. It would be his second executive order on elections, following a March executive order that,… Continue reading

“Pa. election conspiracy activist appointed to election integrity role at Department of Homeland Security”

August 26, 2025, 10:31 amelection subversion risk, fraudulent fraud squadRick Hasen

WITF: A Pennsylvania-based activist tied to President Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election is now overseeing election security matters for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Heather Honey, of Lebanon County, is serving as the deputy assistant secretary… Continue reading

“Judge rules Utah’s congressional map must be redrawn for the 2026 elections”

August 26, 2025, 9:12 amredistrictingRick Hasen

AP: The Utah Legislature will need to rapidly redraw the state’s congressional boundaries after a judge ruled Monday that the Republican-controlled body circumvented safeguards put in place by voters to ensure districts aren’t drawn to favor any party. The… Continue reading

“How AOC built a Democratic fundraising juggernaut”

August 26, 2025, 7:47 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

CNN: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is building a fundraising juggernaut that is rivaling some of the Democratic Party’s core infrastructure, prompting questions about both her future and the party’s. Small-dollar donations – contributions of less than $200 – are the lifeblood of… Continue reading

Unanimous Third Circuit Panel Holds Unconstitutional Pennsylvania Requirement to Discard Timely Received Mail-in Ballots That Have Wrong or Missing Dates

August 26, 2025, 7:39 amelection administrationRick Hasen

It’s an interesting case that finds only a minimal burden under the Anderson-Burdick balancing test but still finds the state law unconstitutional. Here, the date requirement on timely received ballots was found to serve no government interest. I expect the… Continue reading

“In Private Deal, the D.N.C. Covered $20 Million in Harris Bills Post-Election”

August 25, 2025, 5:08 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

NYT: Not long after Kamala Harris lost the 2024 election, her senior advisers and the Democratic National Committee struck a handshake deal. Ms. Harris still had bills piling up, and campaign officials had counted on raising more money during a… Continue reading