Interesting New Cert Petition

A reader points me to an item on SCOTUSBlog's petition to watch: the cert petition in Nevada Commission on Ethics v. Corrigan. Question presented: "Whether the First Amendment subjects state restrictions on voting by elected officials to strict scrutiny, the balancing test of Pickering v. Board of Education, or rational-basis review."

Stocking Stuffer

Just in time for the holidays, the Brennan Center has released the new version of its treatise, Writing Reform: A Guide to Drafting State & Local Campaign Finance Laws.

Supreme Court Will Hear Oral Argument in McComish Case on March 28

See here (via Sean Parnell).

"OCE Renewed: Republican Leadership Adopts Ethics Watchdog"

This item appears at the Sunlight Foundation blog.

What's Happening with the Norm Eisen Nomination to Be Czech Ambassador? Could It Be a Recess Appointment?

The last word was that the nomination of the Obama administration's ethic's czar was on hold by Senator Grassley. I've found no reporting in the U.S. papers, but today there was a report in a Czech newspaper. Trying to make sense of the article using Google translate is a frustrating experience:

It is necessary to mention one important thing. Senators are in the U.S. Congress will do as little kings. For each state, regardless of the population only two. Just one of the senators were, total hundreds of stalls, and the nomination of the ambassador is a big problem. Senator Grassleyho Czech Radio reporter asked to interview more than fifty times by phone, e-mail and, ultimately, a direct visit to the office. After about two months, agreed to speak on the phone.

His negative attitude toward the nomination explained by Norman Eisen testify honestly and sincerely to the Senate committee, where he said the release explained. While this is not related to foreign policy and the Czech-American relations have not at all. But for Senator Grassleyho is an insurmountable obstacle. It will therefore continue to nominate Norman Eisen ambassador in Prague?

"Yes," came the reply brief Senator Grassleyho. Although the President may temporarily appoint ambassadors, not only against the will of one senator, but even against the will of the majority. But it is a lengthy and painful conflict with lawmakers scramble.

Does this mean a recess appointment is in the works? Whatever else may be said about this translating tool, I certainly love this line: "Senators are in the U.S. Congress will do as little kings."

"The Probe Patrol: White House lawyers gearing up to respond to House investigations."

This important National Law Journal piece is behind the pay wall.

"A Brief History of Campaign Finance (and Why It Matters)"

Alec Hamilton writes at WNYC.

"Victory in New Mexico Voter Registration Case"

Lawyers' Committee: "On December 21, 2010, U.S. District Judge Judith Herrera issued an important ruling in a case in which the Voting Rights Project represents the plaintiff challenging the failure of the State of New Mexico to properly implement the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) at the State's public assistance offices. Valdez v. Herrera (D.N.M). The Court found that the State is violating the NVRA because its policy is to provide voter registration forms to public assistance clients only if the clients make an affirmative request to register to vote. The Court ruled that the NVRA requires that registration forms must be provided to clients as a matter of course, unless a client chooses to 'opt out' of registration by declining in writing to register. The Court also denied motions by the defendants to dismiss the case, finding that there are ongoing issues about the State's past noncompliance with the NVRA and that the Secretary of State has responsibility to see that the State's public assistance offices comply with the NVRA."

O'Donnell To Petition for Cert. in Conduits Contribution Case

See here.

Jamie Raskin Reflects on the 10th Anniversary of Bush v. Gore

Here, at the ACSBlog.

"Reliable Registration is the Key to Voting"

John Tanner has written this oped for the Raleigh News and Observer. It begins: "Buckle your seat belts. The Voter ID circus is coming to North Carolina. Charges of voter fraud and vote suppression will fly fast and furious. Expect much shouting and name-calling, but expect no one to address the root issue -- our outdated voter registration system."

-- 
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