[EL] Electionlawblog news and commentary 10/15/10

Could the Alaska Race Turn on "Lisa M." Votes?

With polls showing a very tight race in Alaska, it would not at all be surprising that (1) the race may not be decided on Election Day and (2) if the race is razor-thin there could be a post-election dispute over which write-in votes for Murkowski should count. Chris Cillizza says that the intent of the voter standard is what election officials would apply, but "Lisa M." votes would not count. I'm not sure where Cilliza (or should I say "Chris C."?) got his information, but back in September, the Anchorage Daily News reported that elections director Gail Fenumiai (Gail F.) said that "Just 'Lisa' might be a problem but 'Lisa M' would be acceptable."

Posted by Rick Hasen at 08:05 AM

"Legal Issues to Watch in the 2010 Midterm Elections"

The Los Angeles Lawyer Chapter and the Loyola Law School Student Chapter of the American Constitution Society have put together this event on Oct. 27 at 6:30 pm at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Justin Levitt will moderate a panel featuring Eugene Lee, Elisabeth Neubauer, Steve Reyes, and me. The event is free but RSVP is required (click on the rsvp link the the linked flyer).

Posted by Rick Hasen at 07:52 AM

"California Agency Restores Rule Defining 'Express Advocacy' In Light of Court Ruling"

BNA reports on a 4-1 vote of the FPPC yesterday. (Scroll down here to item 16 to see the relevant documents.)

Posted by Rick Hasen at 07:47 AM

"Lawsuit: Tea Partier booted from polling place at Butler County union hall"

This will be an interesting lawsuit to follow.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 07:42 AM

"It's Too Early to Conclude Anything about Early Voting"

Paul Gronke blogs at his excellent Early Voting Information Center blog.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 07:37 AM

A Tax Hangover for 501(c)(4)'s engaged in Political Campaigns?

Forbes offers Hey, Secret Big Political Donor, Don’t Forget The 35% Gift Tax. The blog post is based on this memo from Ofer Lion. More at Tax Prof Blog.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 07:30 AM

Norm Eisen's Nomination for Ambassador Held Up

Foreign Policy explains why a few Senators are holding the nomination of Obama's ethics czar to be U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic (via Eric Brown). The Post says the Czechs are concerned. (The article also says Eisen left the ethics post in August, which is not true so far as I know.)

Posted by Rick Hasen at 07:24 AM

"Campaign spending by outside groups skyrockets"

USA Today offers this report.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 07:18 AM

October 15, 2010