Subject: news of the day 10/22/04
From: Rick Hasen
Date: 10/22/2004, 7:46 AM
To: election-law

Fundraising for and against Colorado's Amendment 36

See here.


"State Elections Chief Limits Poll Watchers"

The Denver Post offers this report, which begins: "Colorado Secretary of State Donetta Davidson issued strict guidelines for poll watchers across the state today, limiting each party to one person per station and banning outside groups from sending out teams of lawyers to monitor the closely watched election."
A reader who brought this story to my attention writes: "Why are the parties that are IN the election that only ones that can MONITOR the election? This sounds
ridiculous. Is there any basis in election law for challenging these restrictions?"
Certainly elections officials can set reasonable regulations for conducting elections, including limiting the number of poll watchers. Otherwise, polls could become chaotic. The argument for outside observers, it seems to me, depends upon some possibility of collusion between the poll watchers of the two parties.


"Voters Registering Nov. 2 Seen as Key in Four Swing States"

The Boston Globe offers this report.


Nader Goes to U.S. Supreme Court to Try to Get on Pennsylvania Ballot

Here is the A.P. story. The Court will likely reject this one quickly. The Sixth Circuit also rejected a Nader attempt to get on the Ohio ballot. He still has a case pending before the Ohio Supreme Court. See here.


"The Media's Shrinking Free Speech Zone"

Ryan Sager offers these thoughts at Tech Central Station.


"Minnesota Supreme Court Ponders Election Day Lineup"

The Duluth News offers this report.


"Ballot Initiatives and the Future of Political Parties"

NPR's Talk of the Nation yesterday discussed the primary initiatives in California and Washington.


"California Scrambles to Prepare for Election"

A.P. offers this report.


District Court in Florida Issues Provisional Voting Ruling Stating that Provisional Votes Cast in "Wrong" Precinct Don't Count

The A.P. story is here. So far, I have not been able to find the opinion on line. If someone sends it to me, I'll post it.
This is a decision under HAVA. A similar claim brought under state law was rejected by the Florida Supreme Court.


"Poll Monitors Brace for Nov. 2"

The Wall Street Journal offers this report, which begins: "Wisconsin Republicans are conducting background checks on roughly 100,000 newly registered voters and training more than 50,000 volunteers to monitor precincts on Election Day and lodge challenges against voters they view as questionable." Thanks to Steven Sholk for the pointer.


"'Provisional' Democracy"

The Wall Street Journal offers this editorial.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 07:04 AM

"Election disputes may wind up before Supreme Court, expert says"

Knight-Ridder offers this report.


"Florida, Ohio Try to Avoid Vote-Count Fiasco, Revamp Voting Machines"

Bloomberg offers this report.


"Voting and Counting"

Paul Krugman offers this oped.


"Polls Get Extra Security on Threats"

A.P. offers this report.


"A Fading Nader Factor?"

The Washington Post offers this report.


"International Observer Team Urges Reforms in US Electoral Process"

Common Dreams offers this report.


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