Two Billionaires Have Now Donated $2,750,000 to Pass Top-Two Initiative in Oregon

Posted on by October 15, 2014
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On October 7, former New York city Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated $1,250,000 to “Yes on 90”, the chief committee that is advertising in support of the top-two system that is on the November 4 ballot in Oregon.

As previously reported, another billionaire, John Arnold, donated $500,000 on September 17, and another $1,000,000 on October 1, to “Open Primaries”. That committee then gave those donations to the “Yes on 90” committee. Presumably this money will pay for radio, television, newspaper and direct mail advertising in favor of the measure.

Here is a link to the donations to Open Primaries, and here is a link to the donations for Yes on 90. Note also that Bank of America donated $10,000.

Arkansas Supreme Court Invalidates State’s Government Photo-ID Law for Voting at the Polls

Posted on by October 15, 2014
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On October 15, the Arkansas Supreme Court invalidated the states’s requirement that voters at the polls show certain types of government photo-ID. The decision is unanimous. Here is the decision, Martin v Kohls, cv-14-462.

Four justices voted to invalidate the law because it violates State Constitutional guarantees on the right to vote. Three other justices voted to invalidate it on the grounds that the bill implementing the law did not pass with a two-thirds majority in each house of the legislature. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.

Texas Government Photo-ID Case Appealed to U.S. Supreme Court

Posted on by October 15, 2014
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On October 15, various voting rights organizations appealed the Texas government photo-ID case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Here is the 19-page application in Veasey v Perry, 14A393. The document itself is considerably more than 19 pages, because of the attached appendices.

In this case, the U.S. District Court had invalidated the Texas law, and enjoined it. Then the Fifth Circuit had reversed and reinstated the law for the November 4, 2014 election. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.

UPDATE: here is the 40-page brief of the U.S. Solicitor General, who represents the U.S. Department of Justice, which is on the side of the voting rights organizations and against the state of Texas. Thanks to Scotusblog for that link.

Delaware Will Hold Inclusive Debates for U.S. Senate and Attorney General

Posted on by October 15, 2014
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All five candidates for Delaware Attorney General will debate on October 15. They are the nominees of the Democratic, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, and Green Parties. See this story. The same story says all three candidates on the ballot for U.S. Senate will debate on October 29. They are the nominees of the Democratic, Republican, and Green Parties.