Subject: news of the day 3/17/05
From: Rick Hasen
Date: 3/17/2005, 9:54 AM
To: election-law

Maybe Someone Who Wants to Disqualify a Judge from Hearing a Case

Citing to news reports over a recent ruling in Illinois, Howard Bashman asks: If candidates for elective state appellate court judgeships can't rule on cases involving campaign donors, then who would be willing to donate to such campaigns?


Unopposed Incumbent Mayor Loses Race

Via Political Wire, see this Newsday report where a surprise write-in candiadate beat an incumbent mayor running unopposed.


"GOP's felon list may be way off"

The Seattle Times offers this report, which begins: "The list of alleged felon voters compiled in Dino Rossi's legal challenge to the governor's election mistakenly includes people tried as juveniles who never lost their right to vote."


Would A Senate Confrontation Over the "Nuclear Option" to End Filibusters Create the Opening for a Third Party in the U.S.?

So suggests Stuart Rothenberg in this Roll Call column (paid subscription required).


More Questions About How the City of L.A. Conducted Its Mayoral Election

The Los Angeles Daily News offers this report, which begins: "The California Secretary of State's Office announced Wednesday that it will investigate why City Clerk Frank Martinez changed the software on the voting system used in Los Angeles' mayoral primary without state approval -- one of several steps he took that slowed the count and raised questions about the integrity of the process." I have written some thoughts on the problems with the L.A. election that I hope will appear soon.


"Survey: Corzine's money frees him from special interests"

The Asbury Park Press offers this report, which begins: "More than half of New Jersey's registered voters believe Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon S. Corzine's ability to finance his own gubernatorial race is an asset allowing for his independence, not the liability that Republicans suggest."


Election Reform on Agenda in New Mexico

See here.


Important New York Post Editorial Attacking Pew's Funding of Campaign Finance Reform Efforts and Quoting Sean Treglia

See here. This issue is sure to heat up among conservative bloggers. The editorial refers to a written response by Pew sent to the newspaper. If anyone has a copy of that letter, I'll link to it or post it.


Controversy Begins Over California Secretary of State Nominee

This LA Times article suggests confirmation of Bruce McPherson to replace Secretary of State Kevin Shelley is very likely, but there are already questions being raised about whether McPherson's transition team is too partisan. The article also notes that California is considering legislation that "would prohibit the secretary of state and any candidates for the office from endorsing or opposing any candidates or ballot measures. SB 11 would also prohibit voting equipment manufacturers or vendors from donating to candidates for public office."


More from Bauer on Regulating Campaign Contributions to Candidate Controlled Ballot Measure Committees

Bob Bauer has put up this very thoughtful post that continues a debate of sorts between the two of us on this issue. I hope to have time in the next few days to post a reply.


Another Priceless Anecdote Picked Up by Howard Bashman

Don't miss Bush v. Gore on Justice Antonin Scalia's Mind.


"First Circuit panel to reconsider eligibility of Puerto Rico residents to vote for President and Vice-President of the United States"

Howard Bashman offers these details. 
-- 
Professor Rick Hasen 
Loyola Law School 
919 Albany Street 
Los Angeles, CA  90015-1211 
(213)736-1466 - voice 
(213)380-3769 - fax 
rick.hasen@lls.edu 
http://www.lls.edu/academics/faculty/hasen.html 
http://electionlawblog.org