"Counsel: Governor can kill special vote"

The San Jose Mercury News offers this report, which begins: "SACRAMENTO - A controversial special election set for fall could be canceled by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger anytime before the polls open, according to a legal opinion issued Monday. The conclusion, reached in an analysis written by the California legislative counsel, sets the stage for a potentially long summer and autumn of negotiations between the GOP governor and Democratic leaders." If anyone has a link to the report, please send it along.
Meanwhile, fundraising reports have been released and California newspapers have been covering the money race here, here, here, here, here, and here. Links via Rough and Tumble.

Have Election Law Cases Increased Fivefold in the Last Ten Years?

So claims Professor Davison Douglas, according to this A.P. report. I haven't seen this research. My own count showed a doubling between the pre- and post-2000 period.

Redistricting Reform Initiative May Be Coming to Mass.

See this Boston Globe report.

"Guidance on State Voter Registration Databases"

The Brennan Center has issued this press release related to these EAC Guidelines on implementation of HAVA-mandated state voter registration lists. See also this post by Dan Tokaji (which also links to this story on the confirmation of Donetta Davidson to the EAC).

Roll Call Has a Nice Profile of Bob Bauer

See here (paid subscription required).

Lockyer Ordered to Write New Ballot Title and Ballot Label in Prop. 77 Case

See the entry here under the date 7/29/05. This is very interesting. This is a big political issue now. On the one hand, Lockyer was just criticized for allegedly playing politics with the initiative ballot title and summary process. On the other hand, if he produces a title and summary that are virtually identical to the old title and summary, that will play into Prop. 77 proponents' arguments that there are not major differences between the version of the measure submitted to Lockyer and the version submitted to the voters.

Thanks to Jeff at the Southern California Law Blog for the pointer.

-- 
Rick Hasen
William H. Hannon Distinguished Professor of Law
Loyola Law School
919 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