Foley and Lowenstein at Electronic Roundable

The discussion of the Vermont and Texas cases continues. Today you can find Ned Foley's post, Precedent and the Constitutional Law of Elections, and Dan Lowenstein's post, On Campaign Spending Limits.

"FEC Sets March 16 Vote on Internet Regulations"

Roll Call offers this breaking news report (paid subscription required). A snippet:

FEC Chairman Michael Toner said he favors less restrictions when it comes to the Internet than more.

"What the FEC does in this area will affect the online political activities of millions of Americans," he said. "I also think the FEC should make very clear that the press exemption applies with full force to online activities including the activities of bloggers, who in this society are functioning in my view as press entities."

Fred Wertheimer, president of campaign finance watchdog group Democracy 21, said his group also believes bloggers should be able to express their views on the Internet free of the restraint of campaign finance laws.

But, he said, candidates, parties, corporations and labor unions that are paying for Internet advertising should fall under campaign finance laws.

My own views on the topic are here, here and here.

Meanwhile, BNA reports (paid subscription required): "The Federal Election Commission deadlocked along party lines Feb. 23 in a key vote on a new regulation defining illegal solicitation of 'soft money' by federal officials and candidates. FEC commissioners said they would continue working to try to resolve the impasse. Commission Chairman Michael Toner said the FEC would take up the solicitation rulemaking again at an open commission meeting set for March 9."

"Watchdog Groups Question 2004 Ballots"

The South Florida Sun Sentinel offers this report, which begins: "An election watchdog group from Seattle said Thursday it found problems with electronic voting records from the 2004 election in Palm Beach and Volusia counties that suggest possible vote tampering. Officials from both counties said the group is wrong."

"Don't Mess with Texas Districts"

Edward Blum has written this LA Times oped. For a different view, check out the Lone Star Project.

"Democrats and Reform in the Vermont Spending Limits Case"

Bob Bauer has this interesting new post.

-- 
Rick Hasen
William H. Hannon Distinguished Professor of Law
Loyola Law School
919 Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA  90015-1211
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rick.hasen@lls.edu
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