[EL] U.S. Senate ballot access

Thu Mar 21 08:33:00 PDT 2013

Following on the News and Commentary post below, there was a similar dispute last year in the Nebraska Senate race.  When Bob Kerrey moved back to Nebraska and ran for U.S. Senate, the Nebraska Republican Party objected to his access to the Democratic Senate primary ballot, claiming that he was not a qualified registered voter and thus did not meet the state statutory requirements for Senate primary ballot access.

When the Secretary of State allowed Kerrey onto the ballot, the Republican Party appealed in state court.  The state district court dismissed the appeal in Nebraska Republican Party v. Gale, No. Cl 12-1102 (Lancaster Co. Neb. Dist. Ct. Mar. 21, 2012).  The court cited Schaefer v. Townsend and held flatly: "The State of Nebraska does not have the constitutional authority to impose a voter registration requirement as a qualification for candidacy." Id., slip op. at 10.  The Nebraska Republican Party then turned to the Nebraska Supreme Court, which dismissed the appeal for want of jurisdiction: the Secretary of State's decision had already become final under the statute, and the deadline to remove Kerrey by court order had already come and gone.  See Nebraska Republican Party v. Gale, 812 N.W. 2d 273 (Neb. 2012) (per curiam).

Kerrey was represented on the pleadings by able Nebraska lawyers; I was familiar with the litigation as his national counsel.  When the unpublished state district court opinion came out, it occurred to me that there may be many more such opinions in other states, that neither Westlaw, Lexis, nor even Richard Winger has ever found.

=B.
Brian G. Svoboda  |  Perkins Coie LLP
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From: law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu [mailto:law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu] On Behalf Of Rick Hasen
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:51 AM
To: law-election at uci.edu
Subject: [EL] ELB News and Commentary 3/21/13

Off to Virginia<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48605>
Posted on March 21, 2013 7:47 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48605> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

I'll be heading off to keynote the Saturday conference<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48420> being put on by the Journal of Law and Politics at the University of Virginia.

The conference is: The Voting Wars: Elections and the Law from Registration to Inauguration<http://electionlawblog.org/wp-content/uploads/s13_voterwars_big-14.png>. The great line up of speakers includes Doug Chapin, Ned Foley, Keesha Gaskins, Michael Gilbert, John Fortier, Justin Levitt, Dan Ortiz, and Charles Stewart III.  Joe Birkenstock will be moderating the panels.

There will not be a live webcast, but I understand that recording will be made available at a later date.
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Posted in election administration<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18>, The Voting Wars<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=60> | Comments Off
"Companies: Show Us the Money"<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48603>
Posted on March 21, 2013 7:41 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48603> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

The NYS Controller and NYC public advocate have written this NYT oped.<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/opinion/companies-show-us-the-money.html?_r=1&>
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Posted in campaign finance<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments Off
"Money for Military, Not Poli Sci"<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48601>
Posted on March 21, 2013 7:39 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48601> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

Inside Higher Ed<http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/03/21/senate-votes-defund-political-science-research-save-tuition-assistance-budget-bill#ixzz2OAuu5YVe>: "he Senate voted Wednesday to bar the use of National Science Foundation funds for political science research not deemed essential to national security or economic interest. Lawmakers also voted to protect military tuition assistance programs from budget cuts, ensuring that tuition dollars for active-duty members of the military will continue to flow."

More from the Chronicle of Higher Education<http://chronicle.com/article/Senate-Moves-to-Limit-NSF/138027/> and Dan Drezner<http://chronicle.com/article/Senate-Moves-to-Limit-NSF/138027/>.

Michael McDonald<https://twitter.com/ElectProject/status/314587578533814272>: "Obama SOTU: American elections, let's fix that. Senate Dems: let's keep it broken by cutting NSF funding on ways to fix that."
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Posted in election law biz<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=51> | Comments Off
"Lobbying Without a Trace"<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48598>
Posted on March 21, 2013 7:26 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48598> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

Roll Call<http://www.rollcall.com/news/lobbying_without_a_trace-223333-1.html?pos=hftxt>:

Nearly half of the lobbyists who were registered with Congress in 2011 and then went "inactive" in 2012 remained with the same employer, and many continued to influence public policy, according to a study<http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2013/03/lobbyists-2012-out-of-the-game-or-u.html> released Wednesday.

The finding by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics illustrates a factor behind the recent decline in federally reported lobbying fees and the number of active lobbyists on K Street: Professionals are taking on roles that leave no public trail because their activities fall outside the scope of disclosure laws.
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Posted in legislation and legislatures<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=27>, lobbying<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=28> | Comments Off
"Shelby, ITCA, and Congress' Role in Protecting Voting Rights"<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48595>
Posted on March 21, 2013 7:23 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48595> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

This item<http://www.aclu.org/blog/voting-rights/shelby-itca-and-congress-role-protecting-voting-rights> appears on the ACLU's "Blog of Rights."
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Posted in Elections Clause<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=70>, Supreme Court<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=29>, Voting Rights Act<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=15> | Comments Off
"Republican lawmakers express concerns about Kate Brown's universal voter registration legislation"<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48592>
Posted on March 21, 2013 7:19 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48592> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

The Oregonian<http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2013/03/republican_lawmakers_express_c.html> reports<http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2013/03/republican_lawmakers_express_c.html>.
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Posted in election administration<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18>, The Voting Wars<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=60>, voter registration<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=37> | Comments Off
CA Voters Attitudes on the Initiative Process<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48589>
Posted on March 21, 2013 7:17 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48589> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

>From a new PPIC survey<http://www.ppic.org/main/pressrelease.asp?i=1338>:

Strong Support for the citizens' Initiative-and for Reforming the Process

Consistent with this preference for giving the electorate the final say on state tax increases, 72 percent of likely voters say it is a good thing that a majority of voters can make laws and change public policies by passing initiatives (24% a bad thing). Solid majorities express this view across political parties, regions, and demographic groups. Since PPIC began asking this question in October 2000, large majorities of likely voters have said it is a good thing that voters can make laws by passing initiatives.

A majority of likely voters (62%) are satisfied with the way the initiative process is working, but most of them (55%) are only somewhat satisfied. Three-fourths (74%) say the process needs changes (36% major changes, 38% minor changes). Only 19 percent say it is fine the way it is. Asked about three changes that have been suggested, overwhelming majorities support each: 84 percent favor increasing public disclosure of funding sources for signature gathering and initiative campaigns, 78 percent favor having a period of time in which the initiative sponsor could meet with the legislature to see if there is a compromise solution before putting a measure on the ballot. And 77 percent favor having a system for reviewing and revising proposed initiatives to try to avoid legal issues and drafting errors. Each of these three ideas has strong support across party lines.

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Posted in direct democracy<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=62> | Comments Off
Federal Court in Wyoming Rejects Challenge to FEC Express Advocacy, Major Purpose Tests<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48586>
Posted on March 20, 2013 7:29 pm<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48586> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

See the order <http://www.fec.gov/law/litigation/freespeech_dc_order_mtd.pdf> granting the FEC's Motion to Dismiss in Free Speech v. FEC.  Marc Elias<https://twitter.com/marceelias/status/314562624585097218>: "Don't get to say this often-the FEC won a big case today."
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Posted in campaign finance<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments Off
"The U.S. Constitution and Political Dysfunction: Is There a Connection?"<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48583>
Posted on March 20, 2013 4:16 pm<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48583> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

I'm very much looking forward to participating in this symposium,<http://www.law.drake.edu/academics/conLaw/?pageID=symposium13> with a dynamite lineup, at Drake law School on April 6.  Hope to see some of you in Des Moines!
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Posted in legislation and legislatures<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=27>, political parties<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=25>, political polarization<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=68> | Comments Off
"Voting Rights Act Bailouts Continue While Supreme Court Weighs Act's Constitutionality"<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48580>
Posted on March 20, 2013 3:04 pm<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48580> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

CLC press release<http://www.campaignlegalcenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2084:march-20-2013-voting-rights-act-bailouts-continue-while-supreme-court-weighs-acts-constitutionality-&catid=63:legal-center-press-releases&Itemid=61>.
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Posted in Supreme Court<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=29>, Voting Rights Act<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=15> | Comments Off
Ohio Going to Make It Harder to Use Direct Democracy?<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48577>
Posted on March 20, 2013 11:41 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48577> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

AP reports<http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x1110363143/Ohio-House-poised-to-take-up-election-law-changes>.
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Posted in ballot access<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=46> | Comments Off
Richard Winger Agrees: Despite AP Story, Ashley Judd Can Run for U.S. Senator in Kentucky Regardless of State Law<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48574>
Posted on March 20, 2013 11:39 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48574> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

See here<http://www.ballot-access.org/2013/03/20/associated-press-story-about-ashley-judds-potential-run-for-u-s-senate-in-kentucky-even-though-she-is-now-registered-in-tennessee-is-poorly-researched/>.  My earlier coverage (and commentary) is here<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48540>.
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Posted in residency<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=38> | Comments Off
The "Vote Fraud Deniers" Bait and Switch<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48568>
Posted on March 20, 2013 11:10 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48568> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

Some of those in the fraudulent fraud squad l<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=8>ike to call those, like me, who (correctly) argue that impersonation voter fraud is virtually nonexistent "vote fraud deniers." Here's an example of the language in a new John Fund column<http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/343422/voting-early-and-more-one-state-john-fund>.

As I make clear in The Voting Wars<http://www.amazon.com/Voting-Wars-Florida-Election-Meltdown/dp/0300182031/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1329286945&sr=1-2-catcorr>, election crimes (including voter fraud) happen.  It is a relatively small problem relative to the number of votes cast.  When it happens, it tends to involve absentee ballot fraud, and sometimes other things like election officials cooking the books and, as John Fund's column notes, double voting in two states.  (This is one of the reasons I favor federal voter administration with a national id card and unique voter i.d. number to prevent double voting between states.)

The primary kind of fraud which a state voter id law would prevent is voter impersonation fraud, and that, as I've explained ad nauseam, is really a non-problem.  Making this claim doesn't make me a "vote fraud denier."  It makes me a denier of the possibility of significant in person voter fraud.

How rare is it?  We've been down this road before, but here's a nice graphic from News21, which did a comprehensive survey of district attorneys across the country over the last 10 years, finding 491 cases of absentee ballot prosecutions and 10 cases of impersonation fraud, none connected to the other.  Check out this graphic from News 21<http://votingrights.news21.com/interactive/election-fraud-database/> (look at the way down to find impersonation fraud):

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Posted in election administration<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18>, fraudulent fraud squad<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=8>, The Voting Wars<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=60> | Comments Off
"Tea party-aligned S. Carolina candidate bankrolled by Kentucky natural gas exec"<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48565>
Posted on March 20, 2013 8:54 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48565> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

CPI reports.<http://www.publicintegrity.org/2013/03/20/12338/tea-party-aligned-south-carolina-republican-bankrolled-kentucky-natural-gas-exec>
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Posted in campaign finance<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments Off
"Piercing the Political Veil: Disclosure of Corporate Spending"<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48563>
Posted on March 20, 2013 8:53 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48563> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

Jerry Goldfeder and Neal Richard write<http://www.newyorklawjournal.com/PubArticleNY.jsp?id=1202592704836&Piercing_the_Political_Veil_Disclosure_of_Corporate_Spending&slreturn=20130220115235>.
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Posted in campaign finance<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments Off
"California Nonpartisan Districting Ousts Life Incumbents"<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48561>
Posted on March 20, 2013 8:52 am<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=48561> by Rick Hasen<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

Bloomberg reports.<http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-20/california-nonpolitical-districting-ousts-life-incumbents.html>
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Posted in citizen commissions<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=7>, redistricting<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=6> | Comments Off
--
Rick Hasen
Chancellor's Professor of Law and Political Science
UC Irvine School of Law
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949.824.0495 - fax
rhasen at law.uci.edu<mailto:rhasen at law.uci.edu>
http://law.uci.edu/faculty/page1_r_hasen.html
http://electionlawblog.org

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