California

California’s Law Against Fraudulent Accusations of Voter Ineligibility: Valuable Protection or Unnecessary Remedy?

Election Law Society · October 30, 2014 ·

By Geoff Tucker

When it comes to voter protection, California has a unique law in place: California Election Code § 18543(a) provides that, without probable cause, it is a felony to attempt to prevent people from voting by insinuating that they are ineligible to vote. While this type of law has also been considered by Ohio, California remains the only state with this type of voter protection. The question, however, is whether such a law is necessary or practically useful. [Read more…] about California’s Law Against Fraudulent Accusations of Voter Ineligibility: Valuable Protection or Unnecessary Remedy?

California Sunshine Shines Light on Dark Money Scandal

Election Law Society · January 13, 2014 ·

By Nandor Kiss

Last November California voters had to decide the fate of two controversial ballot initiatives. Proposition 30 was intended to raise the income tax rate of California’s highest tax brackets and increase sales tax a quarter of a percent in order to fund new education programs. Proposition 32, which many believed was highly deceptive in describing its purpose, was intended to limit the ability of corporations and unions from using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes. While many were interested in the results, probably no one as much as Tony Russo, a Republican consultant who raised millions in order to support Prop. 32 and defeat Prop. 30 as part of the GOP’s “California Comeback” plan. Through his fundraising efforts, Russo was able to assemble approximately $74 million in donations for the cause, but he soon ran into a problem.

California Court Grapples With Racially Polarized Election

Election Law Society · October 21, 2013 ·

by Nandor Kiss, Contributor

In the Northernmost part of Los Angeles County sits the Antelope Valley and the city of Palmdale, California. Incorporated in 1962, the city has had only one non-white member of its city council in the entirety of its history. This is despite the fact that the 2010 census reported the city’s demographic breakdown as 55% Latino, 15% African-American, and only 25% non-Hispanic white. [Read more…] about California Court Grapples With Racially Polarized Election

All Bark, No Bite: How California’s Top-Two Primary System Reinforces the Status Quo

Election Law Society · April 8, 2013 ·

During the November 6 general election, the state of California saw the effects of one fascinating component of its electoral system: its top-two open primary.

Over two years ago, California voters proposed and passed Proposition 14, a ballot initiative that drastically reformed the state’s primary system. Prior to Prop 14, California conducted closed primary elections, which meant a voter could only vote for candidates in his own political party. The candidate with the most votes from each “qualified” political party—the Democratic Party, Republican Party, American Independent Party, Americans Elect Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, and Peace & Freedom Party—advanced to the general election where he would face the candidates who advanced from the other parties. In a sense, the old system guaranteed that a third party or independent candidate could secure a spot on the November general election ballot. [Read more…] about All Bark, No Bite: How California’s Top-Two Primary System Reinforces the Status Quo

All Bark, No Bite: How California’s Top-Two Primary System Reinforces the Status Quo

Election Law Society · December 10, 2012 ·

by Nathan Yu

During the November 6 general election, the state of California saw the effects of one fascinating component of its electoral system: its top-two open primary.