election law

13 Stories

Federal Judge Blocks New Florida Election Rules

Obama appointee calls restrictions unconstitutional

(Newser) - A federal judge on Monday blocked Florida from enforcing part of a new elections law that bans noncitizens from handling or collecting voter registration forms, saying the state can't restrict individual rights and gave no proof it was necessary to do so. The ruling also blocks a ban on...

SCOTUS Hears Case That Could Reshape Elections
SCOTUS Hears Case That
Could Reshape Elections
THE RUNDOWN
Dec 7, 2022 2:40 PM CST

SCOTUS Hears Case That Could Reshape Elections

NC legislators argue that courts can't interfere with election rules set by legislatures

(Newser) - The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a high-stakes case that analysts say could radically change the way elections are conducted in America. The Moore v. Harper case, brought by Republican legislative leaders in North Carolina, cites the controversial "independent state legislature doctrine," the Charlotte Observer reports. The...

Arizona Panel Backs Dropping Voting Machines

A few Republicans join Democrats in resisting hand counts, Sharpie bans, and 'magic paper'

(Newser) - Republican state senators on Monday advanced legislation that would require every ballot cast in Arizona's elections to be counted by hand, with GOP proponents who embraced former President Donald Trump's false narrative of massive voter fraud calling it a needed reform. The proposal was approved Monday by the...

Texas Democrats Flee State to Head Off Voting Laws

House members fly to Washington to seek help from Congress

(Newser) - Unable to block the measures with their votes, Democratic legislators are leaving Texas rather than see new election laws passed. "Texas House Democrats stand united in our decision to break quorum and refuse to let the Republican-led legislature force through dangerous legislation that would trample on Texans' freedom to...

106K Sign Petition Calling for Bill Clinton's Arrest

They think he violated election laws on Super Tuesday

(Newser) - More than 106,000 people have signed a Change.org petition calling for "the immediate arrest of President Bill Clinton" for allegedly violating Massachusetts election laws. On Super Tuesday, Clinton was seen glad-handing voters and volunteers —and even kissing an elderly woman—at polling places. The problem? Campaigning...

Florida Election Law: Teacher Faces Fines for Helping Kids Register to Vote
Teacher Breaks Law by Registering Kids to Vote
in case you missed it
Oct 29, 2011 11:35 AM CDT

Teacher Breaks Law by Registering Kids to Vote

Tougher Florida election rules spark anger

(Newser) - A Florida civics teacher didn’t know about a new state law when she helped students register to vote—and now may have to pay thousands of dollars in fines, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. The law required her to first register with the state as a third party who...

GOP Election-Law Rewrites Pose Threat to Dems

Minorities, young people targeted in new rules, say voting-rights groups

(Newser) - Pennsylvania’s Republicans aren’t the only ones instituting voting laws likely to hurt Democrats. Some 12 states have begun requiring voters to carry picture ID; Florida and Ohio have reduced early-voting time; and Florida has cracked down on ex-felons voting, the Washington Post reports. Republicans say they want...

Let Americans Keep Electing Their Senators
Let Americans Keep Electing Their Senators
OPINION
Nov 24, 2010 1:40 PM CST

Let Americans Keep Electing Their Senators

Essay: Campaign to repeal 17th Amendment is misguided

(Newser) - The 17th Amendment allows Americans to choose their senators directly, rather than have them picked by state legislatures—and some Tea Partiers and a particular jurist named Antonin Scalia want it gone. (He says states' rights have been on the decline since it became law in 1913.) Bad idea,...

Did Chatty Michelle Break Voting Laws?

Conservative watchdog slams first lady's 'technical violation'

(Newser) - Michelle Obama may have violated Illinois election laws by seeking support for her husband’s agenda at a Chicago polling station, holds the Daily Caller . The first lady was talking with voters, and reportedly urged them to support said agenda—but state laws ban political discussion near polling places, the...

GOPers Spot End Run Around Election Law

FEC rule lets 1-man corporations pool their resources

(Newser) - A decision by campaign-finance regulators has a pair of GOP strategists hoping to skirt limits set by election law, Politico reports. The Federal Election Commission recently OK’d ad buys made by a solo activist’s one-man corporation. That gave the strategists an idea: Rich individuals could avoid rules against...

Palin Shopping Spree OK: Feds
Palin Shopping Spree OK: Feds
May 19, 2009 3:24 PM CDT

Palin Shopping Spree OK: Feds

Commission nixes complaint that RNC's $150K in clothing purchases broke law

(Newser) - The Federal Election Commission dismissed today a complaint that the Republican National Committee broke the law when it bought $150,000 in clothes for then-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, the Anchorage Daily News reports. The FEC said purchases were “coordinated party expenditures” for campaign purposes, and did not violate...

Campaigns Ramp Up for Ohio Legal Fight

State's use of provisional ballots portends court battles

(Newser) - Four years ago Ohio delivered the presidency to George W Bush over John Kerry, and in 2008 the Buckeye State may again prove decisive. Both camps have legal teams to contest the results of the Ohio vote, which could be compromised by a host of snags: faulty electronic machines, irregularities...

Supreme Court to Hear $79M Cigarette Verdict for 3rd Time

Justices to decide if Oregon court ignored instruction to limit punitive damages

(Newser) - The Supreme Court today agreed to hear a third appeal of Oregon’s $79.5-million punitive-damage award against Philip Morris. The justices have twice sent the verdict back to Oregon’s high court, part of an effort to limit punitive damages to nine times the size of compensatory damages. This...

13 Stories
Most Read on Newser