news of the day 2/20/04

"Judges Stand By Remap Date"

The Atlanta Journal Constitution offers this report, which begins: " Three federal judges in Atlanta refused Thursday to stay their order of last week that Georgia legislators must draw new state House and Senate election districts by March 1. If the General Assembly cannot meet that deadline, the judges said they would draw interim maps to be in place the week of April 26, when candidates pay to qualify for the July 20 party primaries."

"FEC Says Cantwell Violated Election Law"

A.P. offers this report.

"Romney Rips Bid to Protect Kerry Seat"

The Boston Globe offers this report, which begins: "Governor Mitt Romney yesterday denounced a maneuver by Democrats on Beacon Hill to block him from naming an interim replacement if US Senator John F. Kerry wins the presidency and resigns his Senate seat."

"Election Law Robs TV Soap of Biggest Star"

Reuters offers this report from Greece, which explains: "Giorgos Vassiliou, who has been playing the bad-tempered policeman on 'Good Morning Life' for almost a decade, is running for parliament in the March 7 general election, and the law allows candidates only one appearance each on national TV in the month before the polls."

"Attorney General Urges E.C. Revote"

The Post-Tribune (Indiana) offers this report, which begins: "The office of Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter is urging the Indiana Supreme Court to order a special election in May’s disputed East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary. In a 'friend of the court' brief filed Thursday with the Indiana Supreme Court, Deputy Attorney General Gary Damon Secrest urges the Supreme Court to order a special election 'to restore the integrity and public confidence in the electoral system.'" For other coverage, see here. Thanks to Ed Feigenbaum for the pointers.

"Close the Soft Money Tap"

The Los Angeles Times offers this editorial, which begins by quoting from FEC Chair Brad Smith's book, "Unfree Speech," and closes with: "No matter what Bradley Smith believes about letting money rule politics, the FEC isn't a vehicle for testing his personal theories."

Indian Tribes and Campaign Finance Disclosure in California

See this Los Angeles Times report.

"Final Word Still to Come on Interest Group Money"

The New York Times offers this report.

"The Lure of Soft Money"

The New York Times offers this editorial.

-- 
Rick Hasen
Professor of Law and William M. Rains Fellow
Loyola Law School
919 South Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA  90015-1211
(213)736-1466
(213)380-3769 - fax
rick.hasen@lls.edu
http://www.lls.edu/academics/faculty/hasen.html
http://electionlawblog.org