[EL] ELB News and Commentary 8/5/11

Fri Aug 5 09:56:31 PDT 2011

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21470> Now in Print: From Registration to Recounts Revisited 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21470> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

Last month, my Moritz colleagues and I released From Registration to Recounts Revisited <http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/analysis/index.php?ID=8449> , a status report on election administration in five midwestern states generously funded by the Joyce Foundation.  A PDF version can be downloaded here <http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/projects/registration-to-recounts/2011edition.pdf> , and we now have a limited number of print versions available for distribution.  If you’d like one, please let Steve Huefner <http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/faculty/huefner.php>  or me <http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/faculty/tokaji.php>  know.

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18> election administration | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21466> “$30M spent in Wisconsin recall elections” 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21466> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

USA Today reports here <http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/08/wisconsin-recall-elections-30-million-/1?csp=34news>  and ABC News here <http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/30-million-pouring-influence-wisconsin-recall-elections/story?id=14235471> .

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> campaign finance,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=11> recall elections | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21461> Investigation into WI Absentee Ballot Claims 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21461> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

Reuters has this story <http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/04/us-wisconsin-idUSTRE7737GD20110804>  on the Milwaukee DA’s investigation into claims that two groups — one conservative (WRTL) and the other liberal (Wisconsin Jobs) — may have violated state law by giving something of value in their efforts to get voters to cast absentee ballots in recall elections.

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=53> absentee ballots,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=54> bribery,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=11> recall elections | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21459> “Voter fraud new partisan weapon in elections fight” 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21459> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

That’s the focus of electionline.org’s weekly newsletter <http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewcenteronthestatesorg/Reports/Electionline_Reports/electionlineWeekly08.04.11.pdf> .

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=8> fraudulent fraud squad,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=9> voter id | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21454> The Tax-Exemption Battle in the Fox v. Media Matters War 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21454> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

Politico has this report <http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0811/Fox_Business_launches_series_on_Media_Matters.html?showall>  on Fox Business’ investigation <http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/08/03/media-matters-puts-tax-exempt-status-in-jeopardy/#ixzz1U10kTIEf> , alleging that Media Matters has put its tax-exempt status in jeopardy by engaging in partisan activity through its criticism of News Corp.

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> tax law and election law | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21449> Colbert on AFP’s Absentee Ballot Mailer in WI 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21449> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

“Holy Schlitz!” <http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/393972/august-04-2011/wisconsin-s-senator-recall-election> 

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=53> absentee ballots,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> campaign finance,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=52> election law "humor" | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21446> Winkler on “Gotcha” Questions 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21446> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

At SCOTUSblog, Adam Winkler has this post <http://www.scotusblog.com/2011/08/gotcha/>  on potentially game-ending questions, in Citizens United and the Affordable Care Act litigation.

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> campaign finance | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21443> Denial of Rehearing in Puerto Rico Representation Case 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21443> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

Howard Bashman notes here <http://howappealing.law.com/080411.html#042505>  the 1st Circuit’s 3-3 vote, denying rehearing in a case by Puerto Rico U.S. Citizens claiming a right to vote for a U.S. House representative under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  The order along with concurring and dissenting opinions may be found here <http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/pdf.opinions/09-218602-01A.pdf> .

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=1> Uncategorized | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21439> Roundup on Mystery Donation to Romney SuperPAC 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21439> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

Still more on this <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21372>  story <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21399> , from Michael Isikoff on MSNBC <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44027203/ns/politics-decision_2012/> , National Journal <http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/mysterious-company-donates-to-romney-super-pac-vanishes-20110805> , NPR <http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/08/04/138989269/report-short-lived-firm-dissolves-after-1-million-pro-romney-donation> , and WaPo <http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/short-lived-firms-1m-donation-to-gop-fund-raises-concern-over-transparency/2011/08/04/gIQAvczruI_story.html> , plus commentary from Alexandra Petri <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/post/mitt-romneys-alien-donors/2011/08/04/gIQAyvT2uI_blog.html> , Brad Smith <http://campaignfreedom.org/blog/detail/the-strange-case-of-w-spann-llc> , Ben Smith <http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0811/The_case_for_secret_money.html> , and David Weigel <http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2011/08/04/mystery_money_for_romney.html> .

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 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21437> Chapin’s Blog Roll for Electiongeeks 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21437> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

On his new blog <http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/peea/2011/08/hot_and_fresh_out_of_the_inter.php> .

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=51> election law biz | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21434> NYT on Disclosure by Federal Contractors 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21434> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

This editorial <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/05/opinion/the-voters-need-to-know-about-political-donations.html?_r=1&src=tp>  urges President Obama to issue an executive order on the subject.

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 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21430> Torres-Spelliscy: Give Shareholders Say on Corporate Money 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21430> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

Ciara Torres-Spelliscy has this commentary <http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_20/-207992-1.html>  on Roll Call.

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 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21427> “Some states’ push for earlier GOP primaries creates chaos for Republican leaders” 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21427> August 5, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

WaPo reports here <http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/uncertain-2012-primary-calendar-creates-chaos-for-republican-leaders/2011/08/04/gIQA3px4uI_story.html>  on some states’ intent to hold their primaries earlier than Republican Party rules permit. The “problem children” are Arizona, Florida, and Michigan. (Really? Again <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=9523> ?)

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=25> political parties,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=32> primaries | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21424> “John Edwards donor to plead guilty to illegal donations” 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21424> August 4, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

Politico’s Josh Gerstein reports here <http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0811/John_Edwards_donor_to_plead_guilty_to_illegal_donations.html>  on the guilty plea by L.A. Attorney Pierce O’Donnell, which follows the Ninth Circuit’s reinstatement of charges last year <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=15038>  (unrelated to the indictment against Edwards for using donor money to cover up his affair and out-of-wedlock child).

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 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21421> IL Republicans Release Proposed Congressional Map 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21421> August 4, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

In their lawsuit challenging the congressional redistricting plan signed in June, Illinois Republicans have presented their own “fair map <http://lemont.patch.com/articles/republicans-present-own-congressional-map-in-court-2> ,” which you can view here <http://capitolfax.com/2011/08/04/republicans-unveil-their-own-congressional-maps/> .  You can check the status of redistricting developments in Illinois <http://redistricting.lls.edu/states-IL.php>  and every other state, including litigation, on Justin Levitt’s marvelous All About Redistricting <http://redistricting.lls.edu/>  website.

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 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21417> Quote of the Day 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21417> August 4, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

“If Attorney General Biden doesn’t act soon, Delaware is likely to turn into the Cayman Islands of political fundraising,”

     – David Donnelly <http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/watchdogs-demand-invesigtation-into-brazen-1-million-pro-romney-donation.php> , Public Campaign Action Fund, asking for investigation into $1 million mystery contribution to <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21372>  pro-Romney superPAC <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21399> 

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 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21414> WI Absentee Ballot Requests Mishandled 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21414> August 4, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

According to this report <http://whbl.com/news/articles/2011/aug/04/absentee-ballot-requests-mishandled/> , some absentee ballot applications solicited by non-party groups <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21212>  for the recall elections have been sent to the wrong clerk’s office.  Wisconsin has some 1850 separate electoral jurisdictions, because elections are administered at the municipal rather than the county level – and it turns out there are multiple muncipalities with names like “Franklin” and “Washington.”  What a mess!

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 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21407> “Public Campaign Financing in California: A Model Law for 21st Century Reform” 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21407> August 4, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

The Center for Governmental Studies has released this report <http://www.cgs.org/images/publications/cgs_ca_cf_model_law.pdf> .  From today’s press release announcing it: 

The Center for Governmental Studies (CGS) today released a new report and model law recommending that California adopt a comprehensive new approach to the way state candidates raise funds to conduct their campaigns. Public Campaign Financing in California: A Model Law for 21st Century Reform, urges replacing larger, private campaign contributors with small campaign donors and public campaign financing….

The proposed California Campaign Reform Act aims to (1) reduce the negative influence of large contributions on candidates, officeholders and public policy; (2) free candidates and office holders from the time pressures of fundraising; (3) increase the time they devote to discussing urgent issues; (4) increase citizen participation in the electoral process; and (5) encourage new candidates to run for office.

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 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21403> NCSL’s Election Newsletter 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21403> August 4, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

This month’s issue of The Canvass <http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?TabId=23312> , the National Conference of State Legislatures’ election reform newsletter, includes features on vote centers, early and absentee voting, and voter ID.

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=53> absentee ballots,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18> election administration,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=9> voter id | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21399> More on Mystery Contribution to Pro-Romney SuperPAC 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21399> August 4, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

>From The Caucus <http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/04/donation-to-romney-tied-group-draws-scrutiny/> .

Update:  Fred Wertheimer comments here <http://www.democracy21.org/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC=%7b91FCB139-CC82-4DDD-AE4E-3A81E6427C7F%7d&DE=%7b026B0A5C-8732-4DDF-BAA0-451DD57425C4%7d> .

Update 2:  Still more, from TPM <http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/watchdogs-demand-invesigtation-into-brazen-1-million-pro-romney-donation.php> .

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 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21397> John Anderson on Proportional Voting 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21397> August 4, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

Roll Call has this <http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_20/-207991-1.html>  commentary (subscription required).

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=6> redistricting | Comments Off 

 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21394> “Toward SEC Rules on Disclosure of Political Spending” 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21394> August 4, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

The HLS Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation has this post <http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/corpgov/2011/08/04/toward-sec-rules-on-disclosure-of-political-spending/>  from Lucian Bebchuk and Robert J. Jackson, Jr., based upon an SEC rulemaking petition <http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/corpgov/files/2011/08/SEC-Petition.pdf>  from them and eight other prominent corporate and securities law professors.

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 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21389> “DSCC asks Justice to halt Florida voting law” 

Posted on  <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21389> August 4, 2011 by  <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> Dan Tokaji 

Ben Smith has this post <http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0811/DSCC_asks_Justice_to_halt_Florida_voter_ID_law.html>  on Politico, regarding a letter <http://www.politico.com/static/PPM187_demsenate.html>  from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to DOJ’s voting rights section, asking that it deny preclearance of Florida’s recent changes to third-party voter registration, early voting, and provisional voting rules.  In so doing, DSCC joins a similar request <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=20465>  from civil and voting rights groups.  But according to this post <http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/07/browning-asks-court-to-pull-review-of-floridas-election-law-from-obama.html>  from the Miami Herald blog and this editorial <http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/03/2344048/making-an-end-run-around-justice.html> , Florida’s Secretary of State has now asked for judicial preclearance of some provisions of the law, including those concerning registration and early voting.

Update:  The Florida Secretary of State’s office defends its decision <http://www.wmfe.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=11803&news_iv_ctrl=1041>  to seek judicial preclearance of parts of its new voting law.

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Posted in  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18> election administration,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=37> voter registration,  <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=15> Voting Rights Act | Comments Off 

Daniel Tokaji | Professor of Law

The Ohio State University | Moritz College of Law

55 W. 12th Ave. | Columbus, OH 43210

614.292.6566 | tokaji.1 at osu.edu 

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