"Regulation of the Internet and the Politics of Line Drawing"

Bob Bauer weighs in on the issue here, beginning with the pithy: "If FEC Commissioner Brad Smith did not exist, members of the reform community would work hard to invent him." My own thoughts on this controversy should be posted soon.

40th Anniversary of Selma March Celebrated"

A.P. offers this report on the violence in March 1965 against civil rights marchers that helped insure the passage of the Voting Rights Act. The article notes: "Certain provisions of the Voting Rights Act, such as the use of federal examiners and a requirement for Justice Department approval of election law changes, will be up for renewal by Congress in 2007." My article discussing the potential constitutional problems with renewal of the preclearance provisions of the act will appear next month in the Ohio State Law Journal.

"Lobbying Under the Cloak of Invisibility"

Jeffrey Birnbaum offers this Washington Post column, which begins:

President Bush wants to mount a frontal assault on Washington's biggest money issues: retiree benefits, trial lawyer verdicts and the federal income tax. There isn't anyone or any organization that doesn't care deeply about one or more of them. The legislative battles will be massive if the president ever manages to get them off the ground.

The funders of those important fights, however, will for the most part remain shielded from public view. Using perfectly legal means, the groups that plan to bankroll Bush's initiatives and those trying to prevent them from becoming law won't say who their donors are or how much they've given.

"Democratic National Committee Announces Ohio Election Review Team"

The DNC has issued this press release.

"Donors Influence on Schwarzenegger Is An Issue"

The New York Times offers this report.

"Groups Opposing Bill on 527s Prepare for Hearing"

Roll Call offers this report (paid subscription required).

"For an Independent Secretary of State"

The Miami Herald offers this editorial.

"F.E.C. To Consider Internet Politicking"

The New York Times offers this report.

"Judge holds off decision in Schwarzenegger campaign cash suit"

A.P. offers this report.

"Redrawing Rules and Boundaries"

Ronald Brownstein offers this report in the Los Angeles Times, with the subhead: "Early redistricting for political gain has spread, defying tradition and increasing the push for nonpartisan decisions in states such as California."

"Panel Set to Weigh Laws' Effect on Web Politicking"

This article will likely appear in tomorrow's New York Times.

Does the Blogosphere Create Problems under California Election Law?

See this interesting post.