[EL] legislation news 5/23/13
Rick Hasen
rhasen at law.uci.edu
Thu May 23 07:54:25 PDT 2013
Election Law Academics Update <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50901>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:52 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50901> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Here's my yearly roundup of election law academic hires, promotions
moves, visits, accolades.
Mark Alexander
<http://law.shu.edu/Faculty/fulltime_faculty/Mark-Alexander.cfm>, Guy
Charles <http://law.duke.edu/fac/charles/>, Kareem Crayton
<http://www.law.unc.edu/faculty/directory/craytonkareemu/>, Spencer
Overton <http://docs.law.gwu.edu/facweb/soverton/>, and Ciara
Torres-Spelliscy
<http://www.law.stetson.edu/faculty/torres-spelliscy-ciara/> were
included in the Lawyers of Color 50 under 50 list
<http://www.obabl.com/LawSchool/index.html#/1/> (most influential
minority law professors aged 50 or younger) .
Josh Douglas <http://www.law.uky.edu/index.php?hid=93> will be teaching
in London for the Spring 2014 semester as part of the London Law
Consortium <http://blogs.law.uiowa.edu/studyabroad/>.
Chris Elmendorf <http://www.law.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Elmendorf/>, on
sabbatical from UC Davis next year, will be a Visiting Scholar at UC
Berkeley's Institute for Governmental Studies, and the Center for the
Study of Law and Society.
Amber Maltbie <http://www.nossaman.com/amaltbie> is teaching Election
Law as an adjunct at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of
Law in the Spring.
Michael McDonald <http://electionlawblog.org/elections.gmu.edu> and
Micah Altman <http://micahaltman.com> received the Tides Foundation
Pizzigati Prize, Strata Data Innovation Award, and APSA ITP Research
Software award for their work on the DistrictBuilder
<http://districtbuilder.org> open redistricting system.
Dave Primo <http://www.rochester.edu/college/psc/primo/> was named the
Ani and Mark Gabrellian Professor at the University of Rochester.
Teddy Rave has accepted a tenure track teaching postion at Houston Law.
Joshua Ian Rosenstein
<http://www.sandlerreiff.com/attorneys/joshua-ian-rosenstein/> is
adjunct in the Election Law Program at William & Mary Law, where he is
teaching a course on lobbying law called The Regulation of Advocacy.
Brad Smith <http://law.capital.edu/Faculty/Bios/bsmith.asp> will hold
the Visiting Judge T. Copenhaver Chair of Law at West Virginia
University in 2013-14.
Doug Spencer has accepted a tenure track teaching position at U. Conn Law.
Matt Streb <http://www.niu.edu/polisci/faculty/profiles/streb1.shtml>
has been promoted for full professor at NIU.
Congratulations, all!
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50901&title=Election%20Law%20Academics%20Update&description=>
Posted in election law biz <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=51> |
Comments Off
"Kill Bill" <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50899>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:33 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50899> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Tom Edsall reviews
<http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/22/kill-bill/?ref=politics> the
literature on lobbying and rent-seeking for corporations. (I cover more
of this in some detail in this /Stanford Law Review/ article
<http://www.stanfordlawreview.org/print/article/lobbying-rent-seeking-and-constitution>).
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50899&title=%E2%80%9CKill%20Bill%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>,
legislation and legislatures <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=27>,
lobbying <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=28> | Comments Off
"Stephen Colbert on the IRS scandal (VIDEO)"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50896>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:29 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50896> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Via WaPo
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/05/23/stephen-colbert-on-the-irs-scandal-video/>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50896&title=%E2%80%9CStephen%20Colbert%20on%20the%20IRS%20scandal%20%28VIDEO%29%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>,
election law "humor" <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=52>, tax law and
election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"Insurers feel pressure from health group with ties to White House"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50893>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:27 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50893> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
The Hill:
<http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/301471-insurers-feel-pressure-from-health-group-with-close-ties-to-white-house>
The links between a nonprofit promoting President Obama's healthcare
law and the White House have created an "air of expectation" that
insurers will contribute to the group, according to an insurance
industry official.
Current and former administration officials have taken on leadership
and fundraising roles for Enroll America, a nonprofit aiming to make
sure people sign up for new coverage options. As the ties grow
deeper, the organization has come to feel like "just an arm of the
administration," said one official who works closely with insurers.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50893&title=%E2%80%9CInsurers%20feel%20pressure%20from%20health%20group%20with%20ties%20to%20White%20House%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> |
Comments Off
"Donors Urge Cuomo to Press for Public Financing of State Campaigns"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50890>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:25 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50890> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
NYT reports
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/23/nyregion/donors-urge-cuomo-to-press-for-public-financing-of-campaigns.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50890&title=%E2%80%9CDonors%20Urge%20Cuomo%20to%20Press%20for%20Public%20Financing%20of%20State%20Campaigns%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> |
Comments Off
"Florida Enacts Election Law to Ease Long Voter Lines"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50888>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:24 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50888> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
McClatchy
<http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/mct-florida-enacts-election-reforms-to-ease-long-voter-lines.html>:
Gov. Rick Scott has finished the fix of the flawed election law that
relegated Florida to a late-night joke in 2012 by signing an
elections clean-up bill passed on the final day of the legislative
session.
The measure, signed by Scott late Monday before he left for a trade
mission to Chile, reverses several provisions implemented in 2011 by
GOP lawmakers in anticipation of the 2012 presidential election.
Those changes, criticized by Democrats as an attempt to suppress
votes for President Barack Obama, limited the early voting that the
president's campaign capitalized on in 2008. The 2011 law also
prevented early voting on the Sunday before Election Day and
prohibited voters, particularly students, from changing their voting
address at the polls.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50888&title=%E2%80%9CFlorida%20Enacts%20Election%20Law%20to%20Ease%20Long%20Voter%20Lines%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in election administration <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18>,
The Voting Wars <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=60> | Comments Off
"Appeals court shields lawmakers from testifying, showing draft maps
in redistricting lawsuit" <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50885>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:20 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50885> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Orlando Sentinel
<http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/blogs/political-pulse/os-appeals-court-shields-lawmakers-from-testifying-showing-draft-maps-in-redistricting-lawsuit-20130522,0,4958992.post>:
"A divided appeals court ruled
<http://opinions.1dca.org/written/opinions2013/05-22-2013/12-5280.pdf>
Wednesday that Florida legislators should not be questioned under oath
about whether they 'intended' to gain partisan advantage when they
re-drew congressional maps last year."
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50885&title=%E2%80%9CAppeals%20court%20shields%20lawmakers%20from%20testifying%2C%20showing%20draft%20maps%20in%20redistricting%20lawsuit%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in redistricting <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=6> | Comments Off
"McCain Looks to Defuse 'Nuclear' Threat"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50883>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:18 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50883> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Roll Call:
<http://www.rollcall.com/news/mccain_looks_to_defuse_nuclear_threat-225076-1.html>
Sen. John McCain <http://www.rollcall.com/members/26.html> finds
himself once again pushing his colleagues to avoid giving fodder to
Democrats seeking to use the "nuclear option" to change Senate rules
with a simple majority.
The Arizona Republican's latest endeavor is to persuade GOP senators
to allow the appointment of conferees to hammer out a House- Senate
budget agreement without binding instructions against raising the
debt limit.
But his efforts have yet to win over the GOP's tea party wing.
TPM
<http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/05/mitch-mcconnell-harry-reid-filibuster-nuclear-option.php?ref=fpa>:
"The battle over the filibuster escalated Wednesday as Senate Minority
Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) jumped in the fray to lash Democrats'
threats
<http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/mcconnell-rages-against-reids-nuclear-option-threats?ref=fpb>
to use the "nuclear option
<http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/04/harry-reid-filibuster-reform-nuclear-option.php?ref=fpb>"
to scrap the minority party's ability to filibuster presidential
nominees to cabinet and judicial positions. He and Majority Leader Harry
Reid (D-NV) clashed in a heated floor exchange that led to hours of
sniping
<http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/reid-to-mcconnell-yes-you-are-abusing-filibuster>
between their offices.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50883&title=%E2%80%9CMcCain%20Looks%20to%20Defuse%20%E2%80%98Nuclear%E2%80%99%20Threat%E2%80%9D&description=>
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
"White House Feeds IRS Frenzy by Revising Accounts"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50881>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:13 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50881> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Bloomberg reports
<http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-23/white-house-feeds-irs-frenzy-by-revising-accounts.html?alcmpid=politics>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50881&title=%E2%80%9CWhite%20House%20Feeds%20IRS%20Frenzy%20by%20Revising%20Accounts%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"Bopp Warns of Consequences of Relaxing Gay Scout Ban"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50879>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:12 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50879> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
NLJ:
<http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202601264072&kw=Bopp%20Warns%20of%20Consequences%20of%20Relaxing%20Gay%20Scout%20Ban&et=editorial&bu=National%20Law%20Journal&cn=20130523&src=EMC-Email&pt=Daily%20Headlines&slreturn=20130423101016>
The Boy Scouts of America will open itself to a "veritable Pandora's
box of litigation" if it allows homosexual boys to be scouts, warns
a veteran Supreme Court litigator and special counsel to the
Republican National Committee.
In a letter to each of the 1,400 scout leaders expected to vote
finally on Thursday on a proposed change to the organization's
longstanding ban on gay boy scouts, prominent conservative lawyer
James Bopp Jr. contends the change would undermine protections
provided by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 2000 decision.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50879&title=%E2%80%9CBopp%20Warns%20of%20Consequences%20of%20Relaxing%20Gay%20Scout%20Ban%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in Uncategorized <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=1> | Comments Off
WaPo Ed Board Responds to Sen. McConnell Oped
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50876>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:10 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50876> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
WaPo
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/shining-a-light-on-political-donations/2013/05/22/482d1372-bc96-11e2-9b09-1638acc3942e_story.html>:
Today we publish a commentary by Senate Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell (R-Ky.)
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mitch-mcconnell-the-irs-scandal-and-obamas-culture-of-intimidation/2013/05/22/9c4b7de6-c2f8-11e2-914f-a7aba60512a7_story.html>,
arguing against legislation to require expanded campaign finance
disclosure. The senator points to the current furor over how the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mishandled applications
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-denounces-reported-irs-targeting-of-conservative-groups/2013/05/13/a0185644-bbdf-11e2-97d4-a479289a31f9_story.html?hpid=z1>
from tea party and other conservative groups for tax-exempt status
under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. We certainly
agree
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-irss-turn-to-answer-questions/2013/05/13/d010f3d2-bc0d-11e2-89c9-3be8095fe767_story.html>
with him that the IRS failed to meet
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-panel-opens-hearing-on-irs-targeting-of-conservative-groups/2013/05/17/f1d7d352-beea-11e2-97d4-a479289a31f9_story.html>
basic standards of fairness in selectively pressing the groups for
more information and in delaying
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2013/05/17/the-irss-unreasonable-501c4-requests/>
their applications.
Mr. McConnell writes that the IRS scandal shows that political
donors must be protected from possible "intimidation" by the
government, that Washington is out to "target people because of
their beliefs." This is an awfully dark view of national government
under any administration. Such practices are common in other
countries but not in the United States. The IRS failure was an
exception, and a bad one, but not the rule.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50876&title=WaPo%20Ed%20Board%20Responds%20to%20Sen.%20McConnell%20Oped&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"The Time Lois Lerner Failed To Investigate A Major Al Gore
Fundraiser At The FEC" <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50874>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:08 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50874> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
BuzzFeed reports
<http://www.buzzfeed.com/jacobfischler/the-time-lois-lerner-failed-to-investigate-a-major-al-gore-f>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50874&title=%E2%80%9CThe%20Time%20Lois%20Lerner%20Failed%20To%20Investigate%20A%20Major%20Al%20Gore%20Fundraiser%20At%20The%20FEC%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"The IRS Hearings: Winners and Losers"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50872>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:07 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50872> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
The Fix reports
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/05/23/the-irs-hearings-winners-and-losers/>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50872&title=%E2%80%9CThe%20IRS%20Hearings%3A%20Winners%20and%20Losers%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"Official at Heart of IRS Tea Party Scandal Spiked Audits of Big
Dark-Money Donors" <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50870>
Posted on May 23, 2013 7:07 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50870> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Andy Kroll writes
<http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/05/congress-irs-tea-party-gift-tax-donor>
for /Mother Jones/.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50870&title=%E2%80%9COfficial%20at%20Heart%20of%20IRS%20Tea%20Party%20Scandal%20Spiked%20Audits%20of%20Big%20Dark-Money%20Donors%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> |
Comments Off
"Tensions Brew Inside White House Over Counsel's Role"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50867>
Posted on May 22, 2013 8:00 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50867> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Buzzfeed reports
<http://www.buzzfeed.com/evanmcsan/tensions-brew-inside-white-house-over-counsels-role>.
Last night I asked on Twitter how long it would be before pundits would
start calling for Ruemmler to step aside.
Now the answer is clear: not long.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50867&title=%E2%80%9CTensions%20Brew%20Inside%20White%20House%20Over%20Counsel%E2%80%99s%20Role%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in Uncategorized <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=1> | Comments Off
"On IRS issue, senior White House aides were focused on shielding
Obama" <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50864>
Posted on May 22, 2013 7:58 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50864> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
WaPo reports
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/on-irs-issue-senior-white-house-aides-were-focused-on-shielding-obama/2013/05/22/9183902c-c228-11e2-914f-a7aba60512a7_story.html>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50864&title=%E2%80%9COn%20IRS%20issue%2C%20senior%20White%20House%20aides%20were%20focused%20on%20shielding%20Obama%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"FEC Action Slows as Frequent Deadlocks Hamper Consensus on Pending
Proposals" <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50861>
Posted on May 22, 2013 7:55 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50861> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Bloomberg BNA
<http://news.bna.com/mpdm/MPDMWB/split_display.adp?fedfid=31266246&vname=mpebulallissues&jd=a0d8y0v8q5&split=0>:
Facing a backlog of proposals to update its regulations and policies
but apparently unable to reach consensus on any of them, the Federal
Election Commission is not even holding regular open meetings as
frequently as it did in previous years. The latest example came May
22, when the FEC cancelled its scheduled open meeting set for May
23. The meeting was still on the agency's calendar until a
last-minute notice was posted on the FEC website announcing that the
session was cancelled. No meeting agenda had been posted, and there
were no obvious agenda items for agency action.
This is deadlock by design. The FEC: Stlll as Good as Dead
<http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2011/01/the_fec_is_as_good_as_dead.html>./®/
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50861&title=%E2%80%9CFEC%20Action%20Slows%20as%20Frequent%20Deadlocks%20Hamper%20Consensus%20on%20Pending%20Proposals%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, federal
election commission <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=24> | Comments Off
"Shape-Shifting by Liberal Dark Money Groups Seems Meant to Confuse"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50858>
Posted on May 22, 2013 7:48 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50858> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
CRP
<https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2013/05/shape-shifting-by-liberal-dark-mone.html>:
IRS employees who sent overly detailed questionaires to some groups
applying for tax-exempt status in recent years used words like "tea
party" and "patriot" to try to filter out those that planned to be
heavily involved in politics (a big no-no).
As it turns out, not only was that improper; it's not even very
effective. For instance, two liberal groups that have faded in and
out of the political scene mysteriously and repeatedly over several
years bear names that few would associate, at first glance, with
progressive causes: Citizens for Strength and Security, and Patriot
Majority.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50858&title=%E2%80%9CShape-Shifting%20by%20Liberal%20Dark%20Money%20Groups%20Seems%20Meant%20to%20Confuse%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"The IRS scandal and Obama's culture of intimidation"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50855>
Posted on May 22, 2013 7:45 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50855> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Sen. Mitch McConnell writesa WaPo oped
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mitch-mcconnell-the-irs-scandal-and-obamas-culture-of-intimidation/2013/05/22/9c4b7de6-c2f8-11e2-914f-a7aba60512a7_story.html>,
attacking not just the IRS, and not just the DISCLOSE Act, but the very
concept of disclosure.
Sad for a Senator who used to be a strong supporter of disclosure as an
alternative to limits on campaign money.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50855&title=%E2%80%9CThe%20IRS%20scandal%20and%20Obama%E2%80%99s%20culture%20of%20intimidation%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> |
Comments Off
"I.R.S. Official Denies Misleading Congress"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50853>
Posted on May 22, 2013 3:46 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50853> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
NYT reports
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/23/us/politics/irs-official-denies-misleading-congress.html?ref=politics&_r=0>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50853&title=%E2%80%9CI.R.S.%20Official%20Denies%20Misleading%20Congress%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
Section 2 Success in Georgia <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50849>
Posted on May 22, 2013 3:43 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50849> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Here is an opinion
<http://electionlawblog.org/wp-content/uploads/Fayette-Co-dec.pdf> in
favor of the plaintiffs in their challenge to at-large elections in
Fayette Co., GA.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50849&title=Section%202%20Success%20in%20Georgia&description=>
Posted in Voting Rights Act <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=15> |
Comments Off
"IRS Enforcement Reform and the Court"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50846>
Posted on May 22, 2013 3:38 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50846> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Bob Bauer blogs
<http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/2013/05/irs-enforcement-reform-and-the-court/>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50846&title=%E2%80%9CIRS%20Enforcement%20Reform%20and%20the%20Court%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"Six Facts Lost in the IRS Scandal"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50843>
Posted on May 22, 2013 3:36 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50843> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Pro Publica reports.
<http://www.propublica.org/article/six-facts-lost-in-irs-scandal>
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50843&title=%E2%80%9CSix%20Facts%20Lost%20in%20the%20IRS%20Scandal%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"Ask The Experts: What to Make of the IRS 'Tea Party' Scandal"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50840>
Posted on May 22, 2013 3:34 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50840> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Interesting
<http://www.cardhub.com/edu/ask-the-experts-irs-tea-party-scandal/>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50840&title=%E2%80%9CAsk%20The%20Experts%3A%20What%20to%20Make%20of%20the%20IRS%20%E2%80%98Tea%20Party%E2%80%99%20Scandal%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"Reform Groups Call on Congress to Deal with Two IRS Scandals:
Wrongful IRS Targeting of Groups and IRS Failure to Prevent Groups
from Improperly Claiming 501(c)(4) Status"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50837>
Posted on May 22, 2013 3:31 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50837> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Good to see
<http://www.democracy21.org/legislative-action/press-releases-legislative-action/reform-groups-call-on-congress-to-deal-with-two-irs-scandals-wrongful-irs-targeting-of-groups-and-irs-failure-to-prevent-groups-from-improperly-claiming-501c4-status/>
the reform groups now recognizing two scandals.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50837&title=%E2%80%9CReform%20Groups%20Call%20on%20Congress%20to%20Deal%20with%20Two%20IRS%20Scandals%3A%20Wrongful%20IRS%20Targeting%20of%20Groups%20and%20IRS%20Failure%20to%20Prevent%20Groups%20from%20Improperly%20Claiming%20501%28c%29%284%29%20Status%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"Can A Congressional Witness Deny Guilt and Then Plead the Fifth?"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50835>
Posted on May 22, 2013 3:30 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50835> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Orin Kerr
<http://www.volokh.com/2013/05/22/can-a-congressional-witness-deny-guilt-and-then-plead-the-fifth/>
on Lerner: "I'm not enough of a Fifth Amendment nerd to have strong
views on which side is right. So I posed the question earlier today to a
listserv of criminal procedure professors that includes some serious
Fifth Amendment experts. Opinions were somewhat mixed, but I think it's
fair to say that the bulk of responders thought that Lerner had not
actually testified because she gave no statements about the facts of
what happened. If that view is right, Lerner successfully invoked her
Fifth Amendment rights and cannot be called again. But this was not a
unanimous view, and there are no cases that seem to be directly on
point. So it's at least a somewhat open question."
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50835&title=%E2%80%9CCan%20A%20Congressional%20Witness%20Deny%20Guilt%20and%20Then%20Plead%20the%20Fifth%3F%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"High Turnout Rates Are Cause to Celebrate, Not Gut, the Voting
Rights Act" <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50833>
Posted on May 22, 2013 3:28 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50833> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
David Gans
<http://theusconstitution.org/text-history/2010/high-turnout-rates-are-cause-celebrate-not-gut-voting-rights-act>:
Sometime before the end of June, the Supreme Court will decide
/Shelby County v. Holder/, a constitutional challenge to the
preclearance provision of the Voting Rights Act, one of the Act's
most important guarantees against racial discrimination in voting.
Shelby County has argued that the Act is unnecessary and outdated
and has urged the Supreme Court to hold it unconstitutional on that
basis. With the Court's decision looming, a number of recent
commentators have suggested that, in light of recent voter turnout
data, the Voting Rights Act is no longer needed. They are wrong.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50833&title=%E2%80%9CHigh%20Turnout%20Rates%20Are%20Cause%20to%20Celebrate%2C%20Not%20Gut%2C%20the%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in Supreme Court <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=29>, Voting
Rights Act <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=15> | Comments Off
Quote of the Day <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50830>
Posted on May 22, 2013 7:40 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50830> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
"I have not done anything wrong. I have not broken any laws, I have not
violated any IRS rules or regulations and I have not provided false
information to this or any other congressional committee. And while I
would very much like to answer your committee's questions today, I have
been advised by my counsel to assert my constitutional right not to
testify or answer questions related to the subject matter of this
hearing. After very careful consideration, I have followed my counsel's
advice and not testify or answer any questions today.
"Because I'm asserting my right not to testify I know people will assume
I've done something wrong. I have not. One of the basic rights of the
Fifth Amendment is to protect innocent individuals and that's the
protection I'm invoking today, thank you."
---Lois Lerner,
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/22/the-houses-irs-hearing-live-updates/>in
prepared statement before House Oversight and Government Reform
Committee. Chair Issa then excused Lerner.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50830&title=Quote%20of%20the%20Day&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"McCain, Collins Mock GOP Blockade on Budget Conference'
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50827>
Posted on May 22, 2013 7:36 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50827> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Roll Call
<http://blogs.rollcall.com/wgdb/mccain-collins-mock-gop-blockade-on-budget-conference/>:
Senate Democrats picked up some GOP reinforcements in their bid to
get to a conference on a House-Senate budget agreement.
Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine
joined Budget Chairwoman Patty Murray, D-Wash., on the floor in
support of going to conference without imposing special mandates on
conferees.
McCain objected to a bid by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., to require that
Senate budget negotiators not provide for an increase in the debt
limit. Instead, McCain called for a more established process of
offering nonbinding instructions.
Ezra Klein
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/22/wonkbook-a-thaw-in-the-senate/>:
a thaw in the Senate?
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50827&title=%E2%80%9CMcCain%2C%20Collins%20Mock%20GOP%20Blockade%20on%20Budget%20Conference%E2%80%99&description=>
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
"Who's the Right Watchdog for Nonprofits' Political Activity? |
Rules of the Game" <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50824>
Posted on May 22, 2013 7:26 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50824> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Eliza's latest
<http://www.rollcall.com/news/irs_scandal_spurs_overdue_debate_on_agencys_regulations_rules_of_the_game-225011-1.html>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50824&title=%E2%80%9CWho%E2%80%99s%20the%20Right%20Watchdog%20for%20Nonprofits%E2%80%99%20Political%20Activity%3F%20%7C%20Rules%20of%20the%20Game%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"Why it Doesn't Matter Whether Celia Roady is a 'Lobbyist'"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50822>
Posted on May 22, 2013 7:25 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50822> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Mike Stern blogs
<http://www.pointoforder.com/2013/05/20/why-it-doesnt-matter-whether-celia-roady-is-a-lobbyist/>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50822&title=%E2%80%9CWhy%20it%20Doesn%E2%80%99t%20Matter%20Whether%20Celia%20Roady%20is%20a%20%E2%80%98Lobbyist%E2%80%99%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in legislation and legislatures
<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=27>, lobbying
<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=28> | Comments Off
"Obama launches panel to reduce long lines at polls"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50819>
Posted on May 22, 2013 7:23 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50819> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
MSNBC reports
<http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/05/21/obama-launches-panel-to-reduce-long-lines-at-polls/>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50819&title=%E2%80%9CObama%20launches%20panel%20to%20reduce%20long%20lines%20at%20polls%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in election administration <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18>,
The Voting Wars <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=60> | Comments Off
"A Sleeper Scandal Awakens, Post-Election"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50816>
Posted on May 21, 2013 9:00 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50816> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Michael Shear
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/22/us/politics/a-sleeper-scandal-awakens-post-election.html?ref=politics>
(NYT): "The allegations had all the makings of a perfect election-year
scandal that might threaten President Obama
<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/o/barack_obama/index.html?inline=nyt-per>'s
chances for a second term and re-energize a listless Tea Party movement
<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/t/tea_party_movement/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier>:
an activist president, running an overbearing government, treating
conservative groups unfairly by wielding the federal taxing power to
undermine his adversaries. But a year ago, when the current Internal
Revenue Service
<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/i/internal_revenue_service/index.html?inline=nyt-org>
scandal that has swirled around Mr. Obama first emerged, Washington ---
and, apparently, the White House --- shrugged."
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50816&title=%E2%80%9CA%20Sleeper%20Scandal%20Awakens%2C%20Post-Election%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"With more clarity, White House adds to confusion on IRS"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50813>
Posted on May 21, 2013 8:53 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50813> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Worth readingDan Balz's Take
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/with-more-clarity-white-house-adds-to-confusion-on-irs/2013/05/21/a40c54f2-c24d-11e2-8c3b-0b5e9247e8ca_story.html>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50813&title=%E2%80%9CWith%20more%20clarity%2C%20White%20House%20adds%20to%20confusion%20on%20IRS%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
"CREW Sues IRS for Failing to Revise Rules Governing 501(c)(4)"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50810>
Posted on May 21, 2013 8:47 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50810> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Press release
<http://www.citizensforethics.org/legal-filings/entry/crew-sues-irs-for-failing-to-revise-rules-governing-501c4-groups>:
Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)
filed a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in United
States District Court for the District of Columbia to compel the
agency to initiate a rulemaking procedure to address serious
conflicts between the Tax Code's requirements for section 501(c)(4)
groups and implementing IRS regulations. Current IRS regulations
grant tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(4) of the Tax Code to
groups "primarily engaged" in promoting social welfare. The tax
laws, however, require such groups to be "operated exclusively" for
social welfare purposes.
*Read CREW's complaint against the IRS*
<http://www.citizensforethics.org/page/-/PDFs/Legal/CREW%20v.%20IRS%20%28Rulemaking%20Petition%29/5-21-13_District_Court_Complaint_IRS.pdf?nocdn=1>
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50810&title=%E2%80%9CCREW%20Sues%20IRS%20for%20Failing%20to%20Revise%20Rules%20Governing%20501%28c%29%284%29%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
Question of the Night (Election Administration Snark Edition)
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50807>
Posted on May 21, 2013 5:19 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50807> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
What do the Commissioners of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission,
which Congress set up after the 2000 Florida election debacle to provide
advice about best election practices, think about the just-announced
composition <http://www.supportthevoter.gov/the-commission/> of the new
Bauer-Ginsberg election commission?
Oh
<http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/electionacademy/2013/02/thoughts_on_the_new_presidenti.php>wait
<http://www.rollcall.com/issues/58_33/Agency-Formed-to-Restore-Confidence-in-Elections-Is-in-Disarray-218616-1.html>....
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50807&title=Question%20of%20the%20Night%20%28Election%20Administration%20Snark%20Edition%29&description=>
Posted in election administration <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18>,
Election Assistance Commission <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=34>, The
Voting Wars <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=60> | Comments Off
"Charities in Politics: A Reappraisal"
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50804>
Posted on May 21, 2013 4:49 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50804> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Timely new article by Brian Galle, /Charities in Politics: A
Reappraisal/, <http://wmlawreview.org/files/8-Galle.pdf> 54 William &
Mary L. Rev. 1561 (2013).
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50804&title=%E2%80%9CCharities%20in%20Politics%3A%20A%20Reappraisal%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
Montana Law Review Election Law Symposium Now Available
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50801>
Posted on May 21, 2013 4:46 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50801> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Via the revamped MLR website <http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/mlr/>:
Articles
PDF
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=mlr>
Foreword: The State of the Republican Form of Government in Montana
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/mlr/vol74/iss1/2>
Anthony Johnstone
PDF
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=mlr>
Keynote Address: On What Being a (small r) Republican Means
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/mlr/vol74/iss1/3>
Lawrence Lessig
PDF
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=mlr>
A Constitutional Right to Lie in Campaigns and Elections?
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/mlr/vol74/iss1/4>
Richard Hasen
PDF
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=mlr>
The Constitutionality of Campaign Finance Regulation: Should Differences
in a State's Political History and Culture Matter?
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/mlr/vol74/iss1/5>
William Marshall
PDF
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=mlr>
Taking Opt-In Rights Seriously: What Knox v. SEIU Could Mean for
Post-Citizens United Shareholder Rights
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/mlr/vol74/iss1/6>
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy
Essays
PDF
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=mlr>
The Separation of Electoral Powers
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/mlr/vol74/iss1/7>
Edward Foley
PDF
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=mlr>
Evidencing a Republican Form of Government: The Influence of Campaign
Money on State-Level Elections
<http://scholarship.law.umt.edu/mlr/vol74/iss1/8>
Edwin Bender
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50801&title=Montana%20Law%20Review%20Election%20Law%20Symposium%20Now%20Available&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>,
election administration <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18> | Comments Off
Lois Lerner to Plead the Fifth in IRS Mess
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50798>
Posted on May 21, 2013 12:37 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50798> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
The LA Times reports.
<http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-top-irs-official-fifth-amendment-20130521,0,6645565.story>
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50798&title=Lois%20Lerner%20to%20Plead%20the%20Fifth%20in%20IRS%20Mess&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
Breaking: Bauer-Ginsberg Election Reform Commission Names Members,
Appoints Nate Persily as Sr. Research Director
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50792>
Posted on May 21, 2013 12:17 pm <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50792> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Here is the press release from the Commission
<http://electionlawblog.org/wp-content/uploads/PCEA-Launch-NewsRelease-FINAL.docx>.
And now here's a release from the White House:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2013
*President Obama Announces His Intent to Appoint Individuals to the
Presidential Commission on Election Administration*
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent
to appoint ten individuals to the Presidential Commission on
Election Administration. The Presidential Commission on Election
Administration was created following President Obama's State of the
Union pledge to identify non-partisan ways to shorten lines at
polling places, promote the efficient conduct of elections, and
provide better access to the polls for all voters.
* *Robert F. Bauer***-- Co-Chair, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration
* *Benjamin L. Ginsberg *-- Co-Chair, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration
* *Brian Britton *-- Member, Presidential Commission on Election
Administration
* *Joe Echevarria *-- Member, Presidential Commission on Election
Administration
* *Trey Grayson -- *Member, Presidential Commission on Election
Administration
* *Larry Lomax *-- Member, Presidential Commission on Election
Administration
* *Michele Coleman Mayes* -- Member, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration
* *Ann McGeehan* -- Member, Presidential Commission on Election
Administration
* *Tammy Patrick* -- Member, Presidential Commission on Election
Administration
* *Christopher Thomas* -- Member, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration
*President Obama* said, "The right to vote is one of the most
essential rights provided by the Constitution. As I said in my
State of the Union Address, when any American, no matter where they
live or what their party, is denied that right simply because too
many obstacles stand in their way, we are betraying our ideals. We
have an obligation to ensure that all eligible voters have the
opportunity to cast their ballots without unwarranted obstructions
or unnecessary delay. I am pleased that these committed individuals
have agreed to offer their expertise to the Presidential Commission
on Election Administration and I look forward to working with them
in the coming months."
*President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following
individuals to the Presidential Commission on Election Administration:*
*Robert F. Bauer, Appointee for Co-Chair, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration*
Robert F. Bauer is currently a partner at Perkins Coie LLP and
General Counsel to the Democratic National Committee. He previously
served as General Counsel to Obama for America and served as White
House Counsel from 2009 to 2011. In his 30 years of practice, Mr.
Bauer has provided counseling and representation on matters
involving regulation of political activity before courts and
administrative agencies for national party committees, candidates,
political committees, individuals, Federal officeholders,
corporations and trade associations, and tax-exempt groups. He
received a B.A. from Harvard University and a J.D. from the
University of Virginia School of Law.
*Benjamin L. Ginsberg, Appointee for Co-Chair, Presidential
Commission on Election Administration*
Benjamin L. Ginsberg is currently a partner at Patton Boggs LLP
where he represents campaigns, candidates, members of Congress and
state legislatures, Governors, corporations, trade associations and
individuals participating in the political process. He was formerly
General Counsel to the Republican National Committee, and currently
represents the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the
National Republican Congressional Committee. He also serves as
Counsel to the Republican Governors Association. Mr. Ginsberg
recently served as National Counsel to the Romney for President
campaign and previously served as National Counsel to the
Bush-Cheney presidential campaign in 2000 and 2004. He received an
A.B. from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Georgetown
University Law Center.
*Brian Britton, Appointee for Member, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration*
Brian Britton is currently the Vice President of Global Park
Operations and Initiatives at Walt Disney World Company. He joined
Disney in 1999 and was previously the Vice President of Labor
Operations, Operations Strategy, and Operations Support. He is a
board member of Community Based Care of Central Florida, a
non-profit organization that manages Central Florida's foster care
program, and a board member for the Florida Attractions Association,
a tourism industry trade association. Mr. Britton is a Navy veteran
and a former Naval Aviator. He received a B.S. in Systems
Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master's degree
equivalent in the theory and operation of avionic systems in Naval
Flight Officer School, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
**
*Joe Echevarria, Appointee for Member, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration*
Joe Echevarria has served as Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte LLP
since June 2011. Mr. Echevarria joined Deloitte in 1978 and became
an audit partner in 1988. Since that time, he has held a wide range
of leadership positions, most recently as U.S. Managing Partner for
Operations. As part of his current role, Mr. Echevarria chairs the
U.S. Executive Committee, and is a member of the U.S. Board of
Directors, the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited Board, and the
Americas Executive Committee. Mr. Echevarria serves on the Board of
Trustees and chairs the University of Miami School of Business's
Board of Overseers. He received a B.A. in Business Administration
from the University of Miami.
**
*Trey Grayson, Appointee for Member, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration*
Trey Grayson is currently the Director of the Institute of Politics
at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Mr. Grayson previously served as Secretary of State for Kentucky,
elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. Prior to his election, Mr.
Grayson practiced law at the law firms of Greenebaum Doll & McDonald
and Keating Muething & Klekamp. Mr. Grayson has served as the
president of the National Association of Secretaries of State
(NASS), chair of the NASS Elections Committee, and vice chair of the
NASS Committee on Voter Participation. He received an A.B. from
Harvard College, and a J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Kentucky.
*Larry Lomax, Appointee for Member, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration*
Larry Lomax is currently the Clark County Registrar in Nevada, a
position he has held since 1999. Mr. Lomax serves as Nevada's
representative to the Election Assistance Commission's Standards
Board, was elected by the board's members to the Standards Board
Executive Board, and served on a Pew Foundation Committee focused on
modernizing our nation's system of registering voters. He
previously served as Assistant Registrar in Clark County from 1998
to 1999. Prior to working in Clark County, Mr. Lomax was a Professor
of Leadership and Ethics at the Air War College. As a former Air
Force pilot, he accumulated over 4,000 hours of flying time in a
30-year career. He served two tours on the Joint Staff in
Washington D.C. and was chosen to serve as the Air Force Colonel on
the staff group supporting the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff. Mr. Lomax received a B.A. from Stanford University and an
M.B.A. from the University of North Dakota. He is a Distinguished
Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School.
*Michele Coleman Mayes, Appointee for Member, Presidential
Commission on Election Administration*
Michele Coleman Mayes is currently Vice President, General Counsel,
and Secretary for the New York Public Library (NYPL). Ms. Mayes
joined NYPL in August 2012 after serving as Executive Vice President
and General Counsel for Allstate Insurance Company since 2007. She
served as a Senior Vice President and the General Counsel of Pitney
Bowes Inc. from 2003 to 2007 and in several legal capacities at
Colgate-Palmolive from 1992 to 2003. In 1982, Ms. Mayes entered the
corporate sector as managing attorney of Burroughs Corporation.
After Burroughs and Sperry Corporation merged, creating Unisys
Corporation, she was appointed Staff Vice President and Associate
General Counsel for Worldwide Litigation. From 1976 through 1982,
she served in the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant United
States Attorney in Detroit and Brooklyn, eventually assuming the
role of Chief of the Civil Division in Detroit. Ms. Mayes received
a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from the
University of Michigan Law School.
*Ann McGeehan, Appointee for Member, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration*
Ann McGeehan is currently the Assistant General Counsel of the Texas
County and District Retirement System. Previously, she served 22
years in the Elections Division of the Texas Secretary of State's
Office, including as the Director of Elections from 1995 to 2011 and
the Director of the Elections Legal Section from 1991 to 1995. Ms.
McGeehan is a past president of the National Association of State
Election Directors, and a former member of the U.S. Election
Assistance Commission Standards Board and Technical Guidelines
Development Committee. Ms. McGeehan also served on an advisory
group to the Pew Center on the States' Election Initiative. She
received a B.A. from the University of Texas and a J.D. from the
University of Texas School of Law.
*Tammy Patrick, Appointee for Member, Presidential Commission on
Election Administration*
Tammy Patrick is currently a Federal Compliance Officer for the
Maricopa County Elections Department in Arizona. In 2013, she
became a voting member of the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers' working group on developing standards for a
universal format for election results reporting. She is also a
representative on the Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee to the
U.S. Post Office and serves as the co-chair of the Postal Task Force
for the Election Center. She has previously served as a member of
the Election Assistance Commission's working group on Language
Assistance for Unwritten Language, as an organizer of the 2007
Native American Voter Outreach Summit, and as a member of the
Election Center's National Task Force on Education and Training.
Ms. Patrick received her B.A. from Purdue University.
*Christopher Thomas, Appointee for Member, Presidential Commission
on Election Administration*
Christopher Thomas is the Director of Elections in the Michigan
Department of State, a position he has held since 1981. Mr. Thomas
also teaches election law as an Adjunct Professor at the Thomas M.
Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. From 1977 to 1981, Mr.
Thomas served as Director of Campaign Finance Information and
Director of Campaign Finance Operations for the State of Michigan.
Mr. Thomas served as the Director of Public Communications at the
Federal Election Commission from 1975 to 1977. He began his
election administration career in 1974 in Washington, D.C. where he
was a Staff Assistant responsible for managing campaign finance
filings in the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of
Representatives. Mr. Thomas is a founding member of the National
Association of State Election Directors and currently serves as
President. Mr. Thomas has served on the Board of Advisors to the
Election Assistance Commission since 2005. He received a B.A. from
Michigan State University, an M.A. from St. Louis University, and a
J.D. from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50792&title=Breaking%3A%20Bauer-Ginsberg%20Election%20Reform%20Commission%20Names%20Members%2C%20Appoints%20Nate%20Persily%20as%20Sr.%20Research%20Director&description=>
Posted in election administration <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18>,
The Voting Wars <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=60> | Comments Off
How Much Did White House Contribute to IRS PR Disaster?
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50789>
Posted on May 21, 2013 11:56 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50789> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Politico
<http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/white-house-irs-timeline-91681.html#ixzz2TxE1i8fg>:
Just a day after telling reporters that chief of staff Denis
McDonough had learned of the situation about a month ago, press
secretary Jay Carney revealed that White House officials had
consulted with the IRS on how to initially present to the public the
story that the agency had targeted conservative tax-exempt groups
for extra scrutiny.
There was "discussion about the possibility of a speech" by Lois
Lerner, who oversaw the IRS's work on tax-exempt groups, Carney
said, and conversation about testimony by the acting commissioner of
the agency and "what he would say" if asked about the issue.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50789&title=How%20Much%20Did%20White%20House%20Contribute%20to%20IRS%20PR%20Disaster%3F&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
Two from Political Wire on Election Administration Studies
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50785>
Posted on May 21, 2013 11:11 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50785> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Study Finds Election Officials Biased Against Latino Voters:
<http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/05/21/study_finds_election_officials_biased_against_latino_voters.html>
"A new Harvard study
<http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/arwhite/files/fallernathanwhite_voteridexp_may2013.pdf>
contacted over 7,000 election administrators in 28 states and found they
provide different information about voter ID requirements to voters of
different ethnicities."
Majority of Republicans Don't Think Election Was Fair
<http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/05/21/majority_of_republicans_dont_think_election_was_fair.html>:
A new Hamilton College poll
<http://www.hamilton.edu/news/polls/2012-post-election-survey> finds
that heading into the 2012 election, "both Democrats and Republicans
expressed concerns about the fairness of the election. Only 15% of
Republicans and 19% of Democrats were very confident that the election
would be decided fairly."
The latter study is consistent with research I report in /The Voting
Wars/: winners tend to retrospectively view the fairness of elections in
much rosier ways than losers. If my guy won, the election was fair and
square; if the other guy won, there was fraud or chicanery.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50785&title=Two%20from%20Political%20Wire%20on%20Election%20Administration%20Studies&description=>
Posted in election administration <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=18>,
The Voting Wars <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=60> | Comments Off
True the Vote Sues IRS and IRS Officials Regarding Its Tax Status
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50781>
Posted on May 21, 2013 11:07 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50781> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Read the complaint
<http://electionlawblog.org/wp-content/uploads/Filed-Complaint-True-the-Vote-v.-IRS.pdf>,
which gives the personal home addresses of the sued IRS officials.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50781&title=True%20the%20Vote%20Sues%20IRS%20and%20IRS%20Officials%20Regarding%20Its%20Tax%20Status&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22>, The Voting Wars
<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=60> | Comments Off
"Ciara Torres-Spelliscy: Somebody Give Bill Gates and Drew Faust a
Copy of Citizens Disunited" <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50778>
Posted on May 21, 2013 11:03 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50778> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Here
<http://www.guernicamag.com/daily/ciara-torres-spelliscy-somebody-give-bill-gates-and-drew-faust-a-copy-of-citizens-disunited/>,
at Guernica.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50778&title=%E2%80%9CCiara%20Torres-Spelliscy%3A%20Somebody%20Give%20Bill%20Gates%20and%20Drew%20Faust%20a%20Copy%20of%20Citizens%20Disunited%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> |
Comments Off
"The Secret Donors Behind the Center for American Progress and Other
Think Tanks" <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50775>
Posted on May 21, 2013 9:14 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50775> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Interesting report
<http://www.thenation.com/article/174437/secret-donors-behind-center-american-progress-and-other-think-tanks#>
in /The Nation./
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50775&title=%E2%80%9CThe%20Secret%20Donors%20Behind%20the%20Center%20for%20American%20Progress%20and%20Other%20Think%20Tanks%E2%80%9D&description=>
Posted in Uncategorized <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=1> | Comments Off
Questions About 501(c)(4)s? <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50772>
Posted on May 21, 2013 8:43 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50772> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Donald Tobin has provided these updated and much-needed FAQs
<http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/analysis/documents/FAQs%20on%20501%28c%29%284%29%20Social%20Welfare%20Organizations%20v.6.pdf>.
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50772&title=Questions%20About%20501%28c%29%284%29s%3F&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
TaxProf IRS Scandal Roundup, Day 12
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50767>
Posted on May 21, 2013 7:54 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50767> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
Here. <http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2013/05/the.html>
Share
<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D50767&title=TaxProf%20IRS%20Scandal%20Roundup%2C%20Day%2012&description=>
Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, tax law
and election law <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=22> | Comments Off
New Book Project <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50764>
Posted on May 21, 2013 7:51 am <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=50764> by
Rick Hasen <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>
I'm delighted to announced that I've signed a deal with Aspen to write:
"Legislation, Statutory Interpretation, and Election Law: Examples and
Explanations." This will follow Aspen's well-received "Examples and
Explanations" format, essentially a student-oriented treatise with
mini-essay questions and answers after each portion of text. (I've
written an Examples and Explanations book on Remedies,
<http://www.aspenpublishers.com/Product.asp?catalog_name=Aspen&product_id=1454815507>
which is now in its third edition.) It will also be suitable for
practitioners as a basic treatise on issues of: Legislation and
Representation (including issues related to legislative enactments,
filibuster rules, etc.); Statutory Interpretation; Voting Rights and
Representation (including redistricting, the Voting Rights Act,
political parties); and Campaign Finance Law.
The book will be suitable for use in Legislation, Statutory
Interpretation, and Election Law courses as either a student study aid
or a supplemental text. It will be designed to work with all of the
major casebooks in these fields.
--
Rick Hasen
Chancellor's Professor of Law and Political Science
UC Irvine School of Law
401 E. Peltason Dr., Suite 1000
Irvine, CA 92697-8000
949.824.3072 - office
949.824.0495 - fax
rhasen at law.uci.edu
http://law.uci.edu/faculty/page1_r_hasen.html
http://electionlawblog.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://webshare.law.ucla.edu/Listservs/law-election/attachments/20130523/113b4d38/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: share_save_171_16.png
Type: image/png
Size: 1504 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://webshare.law.ucla.edu/Listservs/law-election/attachments/20130523/113b4d38/attachment.png>
View list directory