Archive for 2014
An Election Geek's View of the New Presidential Commission Report (Subtitle: YAY)
The new report by the Presidential Commission on Election Administration is jam-packed with great ideas for the future of American elections – here are some highlights as the focus shifts from thinking about reform to making it happen.
Read MoreRumors of Our Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: EAC Responds on Proof-of-Citizenship Issue
The Election Assistance Commission met a court-ordered deadline to respond in a dispute over proof of citizenship – and in so doing raised issues of constitutional and administrative law while likely renewing the debate about its own future.
Read MorePennsylvania Judge Strikes Down State's Voter ID Law – Now What?
Last Friday, a Pennsylvania state judge invalidated the state’s voter ID law. While the ruling halts ID in the Keystone State for now, it tells us little about what’s next in the courts. Still, the public may not care.
Read MoreThe "Voting Rights Act Amendment" Introduced in Congress
A new bipartisan bill to revise and revive the Voting Rights Act has been introduced in Congress. Here’s what it says – and what’s next.
Read MoreNew Pew Poll Demonstrates What Voters Do – and Don't – Know About Election Policy
A new poll conducted for Pew’s election team shows that voters’ knowledge of the rules for elections in their state is inconsistent at best – what does that mean for the election system?
Read MoreBail-In of Alabama City Shows Key Part of Voting Rights Act Still Survives in Practice
A federal judge in Alabama made the city of Evergreen the first locality to be re-subjected to Voting Rights Act preclearance since the Supreme court decision in Shelby County. If nothing else, it signals that “bail-in” survives not just in theory but in practice.
Read MoreOhio to Improve Voter Rolls, Expand Outreach – Guess the Plaintiff!
The State of Ohio has entered into a settlement regarding a voter registration lawsuit. Looking only at the content of the settlement, can you guess the plaintiff? If not – or if it’s difficult – that’s actually a good thing because it means consensus might be emerging.
Read More"Election Guru" Konopasek: Election Officials Need to Party Like It's No Longer 1999
Scott Konopasek’s latest “Election Guru” post calls for the election field to put greater emphasis on soft (management) skills versus hard (technical) skills in an effort to bring the profession closer to the 21st Century.
Read MoreNew Ohio Data Shows Disposition of Vote Fraud Cases in 2012 Election
New data on the outcome of 2012 vote fraud cases in several large Ohio counties is a valuable lens into the true impact of fraud on the election process – and a model for other states and localities.
Read MoreNew Pew Issue Brief Drills Down on State Implementation of Online Voter Registration
Pew’s newest issue brief looks past the simple question of whether or not states have adopted online voter registration to the more important question of how those new systems work. That information will be crucial as OVR continues to expand nationwide.
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