[EL] more news 1/22/16

Rick Hasen rhasen at law.uci.edu
Fri Jan 22 09:46:37 PST 2016


    “Sheldon Silver’s Lawyers Seek Acquittal or Retrial in Corruption
    Case” <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79220>

Posted onJanuary 22, 2016 9:39 am 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79220>byRick Hasen 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

NYT: 
<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/23/nyregion/sheldon-silvers-lawyers-seek-acquittal-or-retrial-in-corruption-case.html?ref=politics&_r=0>

    Lawyers forSheldon Silver
    <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/sheldon_silver/index.html?inline=nyt-per>,
    the former New York State Assembly speaker convicted of federal
    corruption charges, asked a judge on Thursday to acquit their client
    or grant him a new trial, arguing that “no rational juror” could
    find that the charges had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    Mr. Silver, 71, a Democrat from the Lower East Side of Manhattan who
    spent nearly 40 years in the Assembly and more than two decades as
    speaker,was convicted on Nov. 30
    <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/01/nyregion/sheldon-silver-guilty-corruption-trial.html>of
    all seven counts against him, including honest services fraud,
    extortion and money laundering.

    The government’s evidence and testimony showed that Mr. Silver
    obtained nearly $4 million in illicit fees in return for taking
    official actions that helped benefit a cancer researcher at Columbia
    University and two New York real estate developers.

    But Mr. Silver’s lawyers argued in court papers that the government
    failed to prove the existence of an agreement to exchange benefits
    for official actions.

No doubtr his lawyers are preparing to take advantage of a potentially 
favorable ruling from the Supreme Court in the McDonnnell case.

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than%20traditional%20parties.%0A%0AMany%20Democrats%20argued%20that%20eliminating%20the%20caps%20would%20have%20opened%20the%20spigot%20to%20even%20more%20big%20money%20in%20politics.%20For%20conservatives%2C%20the%20reason%20to%20oppose%20the%20McConnell%20plan%20was%20different%3A%20It%20might%20have%20helped%20Republican%20leaders%20quash%20internal%20dissenters.%0A%0AWith%20a%20bigger%20campaign%20war%20chest%20raised%20from%20donors%20who%20support%20mainstream%20Republicans%2C%20the%20party%20would%20find%20it%20easier%20to%20select%20and%20back%20its%20favored%20House%20candidates.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20McConnell%20rider%20provides%20preferential%20treatment%20to%20the%20Washington%20establishment%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20Conservative%20Action%20Project%2C%20a%20group%20led%20by%20former%20Attorney%20General%20Edwin%20Meese%2C%20wrote%20in%20appealing%20to%20like-minded%20lawmakers%20to%20fight%20the%20measure.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20campaigns%0AGreat%20Lineup%20for%20CCP-Cato%20Event%20on%20Buckley%20v.%20Valeo%2040th%20Anniverary%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A50%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ACheck%20it%20out.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20Supreme%20Court%0A%E2%80%9CNative%20American%20Voters%20File%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20Suit%20Challenging%20North%20Dakota%20Voter%20ID%20Requirements%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A46%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ARelease%3A%0A%0AOn%20January%2020%2C%202016%2C%20seven%20Native%20Americans%20from%20North%20Dakota%20filed%20suit%20under%20the%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20and%20the%20U.S.%20and%20North%20Dakota%20Constitutions%20challenging%20North%20Dakota%E2%80%99s%20recently%20enacted%20voter%20ID%20law%20on%20the%20grounds%20it%20disproportionately%20burdens%20Native%20Americans%20and%20denies%20qualified%20voters%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20Voting%20Rights%20Act>
Posted inbribery <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=54>,campaign finance 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>


    “Ted Cruz, Star Wars Fan, Declines to Sign ‘Jedi Pledge’ on Campaign
    Finance Reform” <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79218>

Posted onJanuary 22, 2016 9:35 am 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79218>byRick Hasen 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

WSJ reports. 
<http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/01/22/ted-cruz-star-wars-fan-declines-to-sign-jedi-pledge-on-campaign-finance-reform/>

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uper%20PACs%20more%20influence%20than%20traditional%20parties.%0A%0AMany%20Democrats%20argued%20that%20eliminating%20the%20caps%20would%20have%20opened%20the%20spigot%20to%20even%20more%20big%20money%20in%20politics.%20For%20conservatives%2C%20the%20reason%20to%20oppose%20the%20McConnell%20plan%20was%20different%3A%20It%20might%20have%20helped%20Republican%20leaders%20quash%20internal%20dissenters.%0A%0AWith%20a%20bigger%20campaign%20war%20chest%20raised%20from%20donors%20who%20support%20mainstream%20Republicans%2C%20the%20party%20would%20find%20it%20easier%20to%20select%20and%20back%20its%20favored%20House%20candidates.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20McConnell%20rider%20provides%20preferential%20treatment%20to%20the%20Washington%20establishment%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20Conservative%20Action%20Project%2C%20a%20group%20led%20by%20former%20Attorney%20General%20Edwin%20Meese%2C%20wrote%20in%20appealing%20to%20like-minded%20lawmakers%20to%20fight%20the%20measure.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20campaigns%0AGreat%20Lineup%20for%20CCP-Cato%20Event%20on%20Buckley%20v.%20Valeo%2040th%20Anniverary%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A50%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ACheck%20it%20out.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20Supreme%20Court%0A%E2%80%9CNative%20American%20Voters%20File%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20Suit%20Challenging%20North%20Dakota%20Voter%20ID%20Requirements%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A46%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ARelease%3A%0A%0AOn%20January%2020%2C%202016%2C%20seven%20Native%20Americans%20from%20North%20Dakota%20filed%20suit%20under%20the%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20and%20the%20U.S.%20and%20North%20Dakota%20Constitutions%20challenging%20North%20Dakota%E2%80%99s%20recently%20enacted%20voter%20ID%20law%20on%20the%20grounds%20it%20disproportionately%20burdens%20Native%20Americans%20and%20denies%20qualified%20voters%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20Voting%20Rights%20Act>
Posted incampaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>


    “Hillary Clinton: The cure for Citizens United is more democracy”
    <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79216>

Posted onJanuary 22, 2016 9:22 am 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79216>byRick Hasen 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

CNN oped 
<http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/21/opinions/hillary-clinton-citizens-united-more-democracy/index.html>:

    That starts with reversing Citizens United. And that’s where
    mycomprehensive plan
    <https://www.hillaryclinton.com/briefing/factsheets/2015/09/08/restore-integrity-to-elections/>to
    restore common sense to campaign finance begins. As president, I’ll
    appoint Supreme Court justices who recognize that Citizens United is
    bad for America. And if necessary, I’ll fight for a constitutional
    amendment that overturns it.

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<https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D79216&title=%26%238220%3BHillary%20Clinton%3A%20The%20cure%20for%20Citizens%20United%20is%20more%20democracy%26%238221%3B&description=%E2%80%9CSheldon%20Silver%E2%80%99s%20Lawyers%20Seek%20Acquittal%20or%20Retrial%20in%20Corruption%20Case%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%209%3A39%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ANYT%3A%0A%0ALawyers%20for%20Sheldon%20Silver%2C%20the%20former%20New%20York%20State%20Assembly%20speaker%20convicted%20of%20federal%20corruption%20charges%2C%20asked%20a%20judge%20on%20Thursday%20to%20acquit%20their%20client%20or%20grant%20him%20a%20new%20trial%2C%20arguing%20that%20%E2%80%9Cno%20rational%20juror%E2%80%9D%20could%20find%20that%20the%20charges%20had%20been%20proven%20beyond%20a%20reasonable%20doubt.%0A%0AMr.%20Silver%2C%2071%2C%20a%20Democrat%20from%20the%20Lower%20East%20Side%20of%20Manhattan%20who%20spent%20nearly%2040%20years%20in%20the%20Assembly%20and%20more%20than%20two%20decades%20as%20speaker%2C%20was%20convicted%20on%20Nov.%2030%20of%20all%20seven%20counts%20against%20him%2C%20including%20honest%20services%20fraud%2C%20extortion%20and%20money%20laundering.%0A%0AThe%20government%E2%80%99s%20evidence%20and%20testimony%20showed%20that%20Mr.%20Silver%20obtained%20nearly%20%244%20million%20in%20illicit%20fees%20in%20return%20for%20taking%20official%20actions%20that%20helped%20benefit%20a%20cancer%20researcher%20at%20Columbia%20University%20and%20two%20New%20York%20real%20estate%20developers.%0A%0ABut%20Mr.%20Silver%E2%80%99s%20lawyers%20argued%20in%20court%20papers%20that%20the%20government%20failed%20to%20prove%20the%20existence%20of%20an%20agreement%20to%20exchange%20benefits%20for%20official%20actions.%0A%0ANo%20doubtr%20his%20lawyers%20are%20preparing%20to%20take%20advantage%20of%20a%20potentially%20favorable%20ruling%20from%20the%20Supreme%20Court%20in%20the%20McDonnnell%20case.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20bribery%2C%20campaign%20finance%0A%E2%80%9CTed%20Cruz%2C%20Star%20Wars%20Fan%2C%20Declines%20to%20Sign%20%E2%80%98Jedi%20Pledge%E2%80%99%20on%20Campaign%20Finance%20Reform%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%209%3A35%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0AWSJ%20reports.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%0A%E2%80%9CHillary%20Clinton%3A%20The%20cure%20for%20Citizens%20United%20is%20more%20democracy%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%209%3A22%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ACNN%20oped%3A%0A%0AThat%20starts%20with%20reversing%20Citizens%20United.%20And%20that%E2%80%99s%20where%20my%20comprehensive%20plan%20to%20restore%20common%20sense%20to%20campaign%20finance%20begins.%20As%20president%2C%20I%E2%80%99ll%20appoint%20Supreme%20Court%20justices%20who%20recognize%20that%20Citizens%20United%20is%20bad%20for%20America.%20And%20if%20necessary%2C%20I%E2%80%99ll%20fight%20for%20a%20constitutional%20amendment%20that%20overturns%20it.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20Supreme%20Court%0A%E2%80%9CCampaign%20Donations%20Reflect%20the%20Sharp%20Split%20in%20Congress%20Among%20Republicans%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%209%3A10%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0APro%20Publica%3A%0A%0AThe%20analysis%20shows%20that%20the%20Republican%20leadership%2C%20including%20Speaker%20Paul%20Ryan%20and%20Majority%20Leader%20Kevin%20McCarthy%2C%20raises%20money%20from%20a%20vastly%20different%20set%20of%20political%20action%20committees%20than%20members%20further%20to%20the%20right.%20In%20fact%2C%20the%20donor%20bases%20for%20Ryan%20and%20McCarthy%20are%20actually%20more%20similar%20to%20some%20Democrats%20than%20to%20their%20colleagues%20in%20the%20main%20conservative%20grouping%2C%20the%20Freedom%20Caucus.%0A%0AThe%20fundraising%20disparity%20stokes%20the%20divisive%20atmosphere%20in%20Congress%2C%20reinforcing%20policy%20differences%20and%20sometimes%20affecting%20the%20outcome%20of%20legislation%20in%20surprising%20ways.%0A%0AFor%20example%2C%20when%20a%20Republican-backed%20plan%20to%20ease%20a%20campaign%20finance%20rule%20evaporated%20in%20Congress%2C%20it%20was%20the%20most%20conservative%20GOP%20lawmakers%20in%20the%20House%20who%20joined%20with%20liberal%20Democrats%20to%20get%20it%20killed.%0A%0AThe%20provision%2C%20which%20died%20in%20December%2C%20was%20initiated%20by%20Senate%20Majority%20Leader%20Mitch%20McConnell%20of%20Kentucky%20and%20was%20included%20in%20a%20must-pass%20spending%20bill.%20It%20would%20have%20eliminated%20caps%20on%20the%20money%20a%20national%20party%20committee%20can%20spend%20in%20coordination%20with%20a%20candidate.%0A%0AThe%20caps%20were%20originally%20meant%20to%20reduce%20the%20amount%20of%20outside%20cash%20flowing%20directly%20to%20advocacy%20for%20a%20particular%20candidate.%20Those%20in%20favor%20of%20lifting%20the%20restrictions%20say%20they%20are%20outmoded%20in%20the%20increasingly%20wild%20world%20of%20campaign%20finance%20and%20effectively%20give%20less-accountable%20outside%20groups%20like%20super%20PACs%20more%20influence%20than%20traditional%20parties.%0A%0AMany%20Democrats%20argued%20that%20eliminating%20the%20caps%20would%20have%20opened%20the%20spigot%20to%20even%20more%20big%20money%20in%20politics.%20For%20conservatives%2C%20the%20reason%20to%20oppose%20the%20McConnell%20plan%20was%20different%3A%20It%20might%20have%20helped%20Republican%20leaders%20quash%20internal%20dissenters.%0A%0AWith%20a%20bigger%20campaign%20war%20chest%20raised%20from%20donors%20who%20support%20mainstream%20Republicans%2C%20the%20party%20would%20find%20it%20easier%20to%20select%20and%20back%20its%20favored%20House%20candidates.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20McConnell%20rider%20provides%20preferential%20treatment%20to%20the%20Washington%20establishment%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20Conservative%20Action%20Project%2C%20a%20group%20led%20by%20former%20Attorney%20General%20Edwin%20Meese%2C%20wrote%20in%20appealing%20to%20like-minded%20lawmakers%20to%20fight%20the%20measure.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20campaigns%0AGreat%20Lineup%20for%20CCP-Cato%20Event%20on%20Buckley%20v.%20Valeo%2040th%20Anniverary%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A50%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ACheck%20it%20out.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20Supreme%20Court%0A%E2%80%9CNative%20American%20Voters%20File%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20Suit%20Challenging%20North%20Dakota%20Voter%20ID%20Requirements%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A46%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ARelease%3A%0A%0AOn%20January%2020%2C%202016%2C%20seven%20Native%20Americans%20from%20North%20Dakota%20filed%20suit%20under%20the%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20and%20the%20U.S.%20and%20North%20Dakota%20Constitutions%20challenging%20North%20Dakota%E2%80%99s%20recently%20enacted%20voter%20ID%20law%20on%20the%20grounds%20it%20disproportionately%20burdens%20Native%20Americans%20and%20denies%20qualified%20voters%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20Voting%20Rights%20Act>
Posted incampaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>,Supreme 
Court <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=29>


    “Campaign Donations Reflect the Sharp Split in Congress Among
    Republicans” <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79214>

Posted onJanuary 22, 2016 9:10 am 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79214>byRick Hasen 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

Pro Publica 
<https://www.propublica.org/article/campaign-donations-reflect-the-sharp-split-in-congress-among-republicans>:

    The analysis shows that the Republican leadership, including Speaker
    Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, raises money from a
    vastly different set of political action committees than members
    further to the right. In fact, the donor bases for Ryan and McCarthy
    are actually more similar to some Democrats than to their colleagues
    in the main conservative grouping, the Freedom Caucus.

    The fundraising disparity stokes the divisive atmosphere in
    Congress, reinforcing policy differences and sometimes affecting the
    outcome of legislation in surprising ways.

    For example, when a Republican-backed plan to ease a campaign
    finance rule evaporated in Congress, it was the most conservative
    GOP lawmakers in the House whojoined
    <http://www.npr.org/2015/12/06/458664381/tea-party-and-democrats-aligned-against-campaign-finance-measure>with
    liberal Democrats to get it killed.

    The provision, whichdied in December
    <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/omnibus-budget-campaign-finance_56718ab1e4b0688701dbb4f9?i0be29=>,
    was initiated by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
    and was included in a must-pass spending bill. It would have
    eliminated caps on the money a national party committee can spend in
    coordination with a candidate.

    The caps were originally meant to reduce the amount of outside cash
    flowing directly to advocacy for a particular candidate. Those in
    favor of lifting the restrictions say they are outmoded in the
    increasingly wild world of campaign finance and effectively give
    less-accountable outside groups like super PACs more influence than
    traditional parties.

    Many Democrats argued that eliminating the caps would have opened
    the spigot to even more big money in politics. For conservatives,
    the reason tooppose
    <https://mobile.twitter.com/freedomcaucus/status/672122808416272384>the
    McConnell plan was different: It might have helped Republican
    leaders quash internal dissenters.

    With a bigger campaign war chest raised from donors who support
    mainstream Republicans, the party would find it easier to select and
    back its favored House candidates. “The McConnell rider provides
    preferential treatment to the Washington establishment,” the
    Conservative Action Project, a group led by former Attorney General
    Edwin Meese,wrote
    <http://files.ctctcdn.com/2438cc3e001/ebbc9df2-d5de-404d-b283-b11bfeef5c67.pdf>in
    appealing to like-minded lawmakers to fight the measure.

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20traditional%20parties.%0A%0AMany%20Democrats%20argued%20that%20eliminating%20the%20caps%20would%20have%20opened%20the%20spigot%20to%20even%20more%20big%20money%20in%20politics.%20For%20conservatives%2C%20the%20reason%20to%20oppose%20the%20McConnell%20plan%20was%20different%3A%20It%20might%20have%20helped%20Republican%20leaders%20quash%20internal%20dissenters.%0A%0AWith%20a%20bigger%20campaign%20war%20chest%20raised%20from%20donors%20who%20support%20mainstream%20Republicans%2C%20the%20party%20would%20find%20it%20easier%20to%20select%20and%20back%20its%20favored%20House%20candidates.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20McConnell%20rider%20provides%20preferential%20treatment%20to%20the%20Washington%20establishment%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20Conservative%20Action%20Project%2C%20a%20group%20led%20by%20former%20Attorney%20General%20Edwin%20Meese%2C%20wrote%20in%20appealing%20to%20like-minded%20lawmakers%20to%20fight%20the%20measure.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20campaigns%0AGreat%20Lineup%20for%20CCP-Cato%20Event%20on%20Buckley%20v.%20Valeo%2040th%20Anniverary%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A50%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ACheck%20it%20out.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20Supreme%20Court%0A%E2%80%9CNative%20American%20Voters%20File%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20Suit%20Challenging%20North%20Dakota%20Voter%20ID%20Requirements%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A46%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ARelease%3A%0A%0AOn%20January%2020%2C%202016%2C%20seven%20Native%20Americans%20from%20North%20Dakota%20filed%20suit%20under%20the%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20and%20the%20U.S.%20and%20North%20Dakota%20Constitutions%20challenging%20North%20Dakota%E2%80%99s%20recently%20enacted%20voter%20ID%20law%20on%20the%20grounds%20it%20disproportionately%20burdens%20Native%20Americans%20and%20denies%20qualified%20voters%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20Voting%20Rights%20Act>
Posted incampaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>,campaigns 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=59>


    Great Lineup for CCP-Cato Event on Buckley v. Valeo 40th Anniverary
    <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79211>

Posted onJanuary 22, 2016 8:50 am 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79211>byRick Hasen 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

Check it out. <http://www.cato.org/events/past-future-buckley-v-valeo>

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AMany%20Democrats%20argued%20that%20eliminating%20the%20caps%20would%20have%20opened%20the%20spigot%20to%20even%20more%20big%20money%20in%20politics.%20For%20conservatives%2C%20the%20reason%20to%20oppose%20the%20McConnell%20plan%20was%20different%3A%20It%20might%20have%20helped%20Republican%20leaders%20quash%20internal%20dissenters.%0A%0AWith%20a%20bigger%20campaign%20war%20chest%20raised%20from%20donors%20who%20support%20mainstream%20Republicans%2C%20the%20party%20would%20find%20it%20easier%20to%20select%20and%20back%20its%20favored%20House%20candidates.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20McConnell%20rider%20provides%20preferential%20treatment%20to%20the%20Washington%20establishment%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20Conservative%20Action%20Project%2C%20a%20group%20led%20by%20former%20Attorney%20General%20Edwin%20Meese%2C%20wrote%20in%20appealing%20to%20like-minded%20lawmakers%20to%20fight%20the%20measure.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20campaigns%0AGreat%20Lineup%20for%20CCP-Cato%20Event%20on%20Buckley%20v.%20Valeo%2040th%20Anniverary%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A50%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ACheck%20it%20out.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20Supreme%20Court%0A%E2%80%9CNative%20American%20Voters%20File%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20Suit%20Challenging%20North%20Dakota%20Voter%20ID%20Requirements%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A46%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ARelease%3A%0A%0AOn%20January%2020%2C%202016%2C%20seven%20Native%20Americans%20from%20North%20Dakota%20filed%20suit%20under%20the%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20and%20the%20U.S.%20and%20North%20Dakota%20Constitutions%20challenging%20North%20Dakota%E2%80%99s%20recently%20enacted%20voter%20ID%20law%20on%20the%20grounds%20it%20disproportionately%20burdens%20Native%20Americans%20and%20denies%20qualified%20voters%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20Voting%20Rights%20Act>
Posted incampaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>,Supreme 
Court <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=29>


    “Native American Voters File Voting Rights Act Suit Challenging
    North Dakota Voter ID Requirements”
    <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79209>

Posted onJanuary 22, 2016 8:46 am 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79209>byRick Hasen 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

Release 
<http://www.narf.org/2016/01/native-american-voters-file-voting-rights-act-suit-challenging-north-dakota-voter-id-requirements/>:

    On January 20, 2016, seven Native Americans from North Dakotafiled
    suit
    <http://www.narf.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/nd-voting-complaint-20160120.pdf>under
    the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. and North Dakota Constitutions
    challenging North Dakota’s recently enacted voter ID law on the
    grounds it disproportionately burdens Native Americans and denies
    qualified voters the right to vote.

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20PACs%20more%20influence%20than%20traditional%20parties.%0A%0AMany%20Democrats%20argued%20that%20eliminating%20the%20caps%20would%20have%20opened%20the%20spigot%20to%20even%20more%20big%20money%20in%20politics.%20For%20conservatives%2C%20the%20reason%20to%20oppose%20the%20McConnell%20plan%20was%20different%3A%20It%20might%20have%20helped%20Republican%20leaders%20quash%20internal%20dissenters.%0A%0AWith%20a%20bigger%20campaign%20war%20chest%20raised%20from%20donors%20who%20support%20mainstream%20Republicans%2C%20the%20party%20would%20find%20it%20easier%20to%20select%20and%20back%20its%20favored%20House%20candidates.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20McConnell%20rider%20provides%20preferential%20treatment%20to%20the%20Washington%20establishment%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20Conservative%20Action%20Project%2C%20a%20group%20led%20by%20former%20Attorney%20General%20Edwin%20Meese%2C%20wrote%20in%20appealing%20to%20like-minded%20lawmakers%20to%20fight%20the%20measure.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20campaigns%0AGreat%20Lineup%20for%20CCP-Cato%20Event%20on%20Buckley%20v.%20Valeo%2040th%20Anniverary%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A50%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ACheck%20it%20out.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20Supreme%20Court%0A%E2%80%9CNative%20American%20Voters%20File%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20Suit%20Challenging%20North%20Dakota%20Voter%20ID%20Requirements%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A46%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ARelease%3A%0A%0AOn%20January%2020%2C%202016%2C%20seven%20Native%20Americans%20from%20North%20Dakota%20filed%20suit%20under%20the%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20and%20the%20U.S.%20and%20North%20Dakota%20Constitutions%20challenging%20North%20Dakota%E2%80%99s%20recently%20enacted%20voter%20ID%20law%20on%20the%20grounds%20it%20disproportionately%20burdens%20Native%20Americans%20and%20denies%20qualified%20voters%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20Voting%20Rights%20Act>
Posted inVoting Rights Act <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=15>


    “Federal investigators focus on small campaign donations to L.A.
    Councilwoman Nury Martinez” <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79207>

Posted onJanuary 22, 2016 8:42 am 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79207>byRick Hasen 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

Alleged fraud in securing $5 donations to qualify for campaign 
financing.Unusual 
<http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-martinez-donors-grand-jury-20160122-story.html>.

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<https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D79207&title=%26%238220%3BFederal%20investigators%20focus%20on%20small%20campaign%20donations%20to%20L.A.%20Councilwoman%20Nury%20Martinez%26%238221%3B&description=%E2%80%9CSheldon%20Silver%E2%80%99s%20Lawyers%20Seek%20Acquittal%20or%20Retrial%20in%20Corruption%20Case%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%209%3A39%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ANYT%3A%0A%0ALawyers%20for%20Sheldon%20Silver%2C%20the%20former%20New%20York%20State%20Assembly%20speaker%20convicted%20of%20federal%20corruption%20charges%2C%20asked%20a%20judge%20on%20Thursday%20to%20acquit%20their%20client%20or%20grant%20him%20a%20new%20trial%2C%20arguing%20that%20%E2%80%9Cno%20rational%20juror%E2%80%9D%20could%20find%20that%20the%20charges%20had%20been%20proven%20beyond%20a%20reasonable%20doubt.%0A%0AMr.%20Silver%2C%2071%2C%20a%20Democrat%20from%20the%20Lower%20East%20Side%20of%20Manhattan%20who%20spent%20nearly%2040%20years%20in%20the%20Assembly%20and%20more%20than%20two%20decades%20as%20speaker%2C%20was%20convicted%20on%20Nov.%2030%20of%20all%20seven%20counts%20against%20him%2C%20including%20honest%20services%20fraud%2C%20extortion%20and%20money%20laundering.%0A%0AThe%20government%E2%80%99s%20evidence%20and%20testimony%20showed%20that%20Mr.%20Silver%20obtained%20nearly%20%244%20million%20in%20illicit%20fees%20in%20return%20for%20taking%20official%20actions%20that%20helped%20benefit%20a%20cancer%20researcher%20at%20Columbia%20University%20and%20two%20New%20York%20real%20estate%20developers.%0A%0ABut%20Mr.%20Silver%E2%80%99s%20lawyers%20argued%20in%20court%20papers%20that%20the%20government%20failed%20to%20prove%20the%20existence%20of%20an%20agreement%20to%20exchange%20benefits%20for%20official%20actions.%0A%0ANo%20doubtr%20his%20lawyers%20are%20preparing%20to%20take%20advantage%20of%20a%20potentially%20favorable%20ruling%20from%20the%20Supreme%20Court%20in%20the%20McDonnnell%20case.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20bribery%2C%20campaign%20finance%0A%E2%80%9CTed%20Cruz%2C%20Star%20Wars%20Fan%2C%20Declines%20to%20Sign%20%E2%80%98Jedi%20Pledge%E2%80%99%20on%20Campaign%20Finance%20Reform%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%209%3A35%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0AWSJ%20reports.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%0A%E2%80%9CHillary%20Clinton%3A%20The%20cure%20for%20Citizens%20United%20is%20more%20democracy%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%209%3A22%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ACNN%20oped%3A%0A%0AThat%20starts%20with%20reversing%20Citizens%20United.%20And%20that%E2%80%99s%20where%20my%20comprehensive%20plan%20to%20restore%20common%20sense%20to%20campaign%20finance%20begins.%20As%20president%2C%20I%E2%80%99ll%20appoint%20Supreme%20Court%20justices%20who%20recognize%20that%20Citizens%20United%20is%20bad%20for%20America.%20And%20if%20necessary%2C%20I%E2%80%99ll%20fight%20for%20a%20constitutional%20amendment%20that%20overturns%20it.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20Supreme%20Court%0A%E2%80%9CCampaign%20Donations%20Reflect%20the%20Sharp%20Split%20in%20Congress%20Among%20Republicans%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%209%3A10%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0APro%20Publica%3A%0A%0AThe%20analysis%20shows%20that%20the%20Republican%20leadership%2C%20including%20Speaker%20Paul%20Ryan%20and%20Majority%20Leader%20Kevin%20McCarthy%2C%20raises%20money%20from%20a%20vastly%20different%20set%20of%20political%20action%20committees%20than%20members%20further%20to%20the%20right.%20In%20fact%2C%20the%20donor%20bases%20for%20Ryan%20and%20McCarthy%20are%20actually%20more%20similar%20to%20some%20Democrats%20than%20to%20their%20colleagues%20in%20the%20main%20conservative%20grouping%2C%20the%20Freedom%20Caucus.%0A%0AThe%20fundraising%20disparity%20stokes%20the%20divisive%20atmosphere%20in%20Congress%2C%20reinforcing%20policy%20differences%20and%20sometimes%20affecting%20the%20outcome%20of%20legislation%20in%20surprising%20ways.%0A%0AFor%20example%2C%20when%20a%20Republican-backed%20plan%20to%20ease%20a%20campaign%20finance%20rule%20evaporated%20in%20Congress%2C%20it%20was%20the%20most%20conservative%20GOP%20lawmakers%20in%20the%20House%20who%20joined%20with%20liberal%20Democrats%20to%20get%20it%20killed.%0A%0AThe%20provision%2C%20which%20died%20in%20December%2C%20was%20initiated%20by%20Senate%20Majority%20Leader%20Mitch%20McConnell%20of%20Kentucky%20and%20was%20included%20in%20a%20must-pass%20spending%20bill.%20It%20would%20have%20eliminated%20caps%20on%20the%20money%20a%20national%20party%20committee%20can%20spend%20in%20coordination%20with%20a%20candidate.%0A%0AThe%20caps%20were%20originally%20meant%20to%20reduce%20the%20amount%20of%20outside%20cash%20flowing%20directly%20to%20advocacy%20for%20a%20particular%20candidate.%20Those%20in%20favor%20of%20lifting%20the%20restrictions%20say%20they%20are%20outmoded%20in%20the%20increasingly%20wild%20world%20of%20campaign%20finance%20and%20effectively%20give%20less-accountable%20outside%20groups%20like%20super%20PACs%20more%20influence%20than%20traditional%20parties.%0A%0AMany%20Democrats%20argued%20that%20eliminating%20the%20caps%20would%20have%20opened%20the%20spigot%20to%20even%20more%20big%20money%20in%20politics.%20For%20conservatives%2C%20the%20reason%20to%20oppose%20the%20McConnell%20plan%20was%20different%3A%20It%20might%20have%20helped%20Republican%20leaders%20quash%20internal%20dissenters.%0A%0AWith%20a%20bigger%20campaign%20war%20chest%20raised%20from%20donors%20who%20support%20mainstream%20Republicans%2C%20the%20party%20would%20find%20it%20easier%20to%20select%20and%20back%20its%20favored%20House%20candidates.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20McConnell%20rider%20provides%20preferential%20treatment%20to%20the%20Washington%20establishment%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20Conservative%20Action%20Project%2C%20a%20group%20led%20by%20former%20Attorney%20General%20Edwin%20Meese%2C%20wrote%20in%20appealing%20to%20like-minded%20lawmakers%20to%20fight%20the%20measure.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20campaigns%0AGreat%20Lineup%20for%20CCP-Cato%20Event%20on%20Buckley%20v.%20Valeo%2040th%20Anniverary%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A50%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ACheck%20it%20out.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20Supreme%20Court%0A%E2%80%9CNative%20American%20Voters%20File%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20Suit%20Challenging%20North%20Dakota%20Voter%20ID%20Requirements%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A46%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ARelease%3A%0A%0AOn%20January%2020%2C%202016%2C%20seven%20Native%20Americans%20from%20North%20Dakota%20filed%20suit%20under%20the%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20and%20the%20U.S.%20and%20North%20Dakota%20Constitutions%20challenging%20North%20Dakota%E2%80%99s%20recently%20enacted%20voter%20ID%20law%20on%20the%20grounds%20it%20disproportionately%20burdens%20Native%20Americans%20and%20denies%20qualified%20voters%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20Voting%20Rights%20Act>
Posted incampaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>


    “The Van Hollen Case: the Roberts Court Under Fire, Not From the
    Usual Suspects” <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79205>

Posted onJanuary 22, 2016 7:50 am 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=79205>byRick Hasen 
<http://electionlawblog.org/?author=3>

Read Bauer. 
<http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/2016/01/van-hollen-case-roberts-court-fire-usual-suspects/>

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0influence%20than%20traditional%20parties.%0A%0AMany%20Democrats%20argued%20that%20eliminating%20the%20caps%20would%20have%20opened%20the%20spigot%20to%20even%20more%20big%20money%20in%20politics.%20For%20conservatives%2C%20the%20reason%20to%20oppose%20the%20McConnell%20plan%20was%20different%3A%20It%20might%20have%20helped%20Republican%20leaders%20quash%20internal%20dissenters.%0A%0AWith%20a%20bigger%20campaign%20war%20chest%20raised%20from%20donors%20who%20support%20mainstream%20Republicans%2C%20the%20party%20would%20find%20it%20easier%20to%20select%20and%20back%20its%20favored%20House%20candidates.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20McConnell%20rider%20provides%20preferential%20treatment%20to%20the%20Washington%20establishment%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20Conservative%20Action%20Project%2C%20a%20group%20led%20by%20former%20Attorney%20General%20Edwin%20Meese%2C%20wrote%20in%20appealing%20to%20like-minded%20lawmakers%20to%20fight%20the%20measure.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20campaigns%0AGreat%20Lineup%20for%20CCP-Cato%20Event%20on%20Buckley%20v.%20Valeo%2040th%20Anniverary%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A50%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ACheck%20it%20out.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20campaign%20finance%2C%20Supreme%20Court%0A%E2%80%9CNative%20American%20Voters%20File%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20Suit%20Challenging%20North%20Dakota%20Voter%20ID%20Requirements%E2%80%9D%0APosted%20on%20January%2022%2C%202016%208%3A46%20am%20by%20Rick%20Hasen%0ARelease%3A%0A%0AOn%20January%2020%2C%202016%2C%20seven%20Native%20Americans%20from%20North%20Dakota%20filed%20suit%20under%20the%20Voting%20Rights%20Act%20and%20the%20U.S.%20and%20North%20Dakota%20Constitutions%20challenging%20North%20Dakota%E2%80%99s%20recently%20enacted%20voter%20ID%20law%20on%20the%20grounds%20it%20disproportionately%20burdens%20Native%20Americans%20and%20denies%20qualified%20voters%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%0A%0A%0APosted%20in%20Voting%20Rights%20Act>
Posted inUncategorized <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=1>

-- 
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://www.law.uci.edu/faculty/full-time/hasen/
http://electionlawblog.org

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