RedistrictingThe Campaign Legal Center is active in promoting state and federal reform of the redistricting process. It has done so by sponsoring conferences on this subject with other public interest groups and has issued a report on redistricting reform principles titled, "The Shape of Representative Democracy." Texas Congressional Clout DeLayed Tom DeLay’s scorched earth Texas gerrymander has left a sad legacy in the Lone Star State. The power grab also remains Exhibit A for why we need redistricting reform before the next round of gerrymanders commences after the 2010 census. Our Democracy Is Stronger With More Competition Why is real political competition so scarce in a democracy? How did competition — which is supposed to be the American way — become the exception and not the rule? Competition is supposed to be our democratic system’s way of holding our elected representatives accountable. Where did we go wrong and what can we do about it? Campaign & Election Law Litigation Update, August 2008 It remains a busy time in campaign finance and election law, with a growing number of cases on court dockets around the country, particularly those challenging existing campaign finance laws. With many new developments, we have updated our “Cases of Interest,” providing a brief summary of pertinent cases and the Campaign Legal Center’s involvement. Groups Push for Reform of Redistricting Process The presidential candidates may be getting all the media attention, but a new coalition has launched a new project and website to draw attention to the vital need for redistricting reform before the political gerrymanders begin again in the wake of the 2010 Census. Redistricting Must Be Fixed Before Census Partisan abuse of redistricting is one of Congress’ dirtiest little secrets. The outrage over partisan gerrymanders fades well before the next census rolls around, and this travesty of our democracy never gets addressed. A Shadow Sheds Light on Redistricting It is clear to anyone who is paying attention that the American redistricting system is in need of reform. The idea of "shadow" redistricting commissions represent a small step toward better redistricting while simultaneously helping to pave the way for larger steps to come. The Ashcroft/Gonzales Legacy at Justice: What a Mess The report issued last week by DOJ's Inspector General is quite an indictment of the Department under the Bush Administration. Normally, DOJ spokespersons rush to the Department’s defense, and try to either attack the motives of the accuser or spin the story in way that makes the Department look better than it deserves to look. But this time, they couldn’t attack the messenger, because it was one of their own. von Spakovsky Gets It Wrong…Yet Again Hans von Spakovsky is telling anyone who will listen that the Indiana voter ID case was a complete vindication of his approval of a Georgia voter ID bill while at the Justice Department. Misleading and factually inaccurate statements like this are what have undermined his chances of confirmation from the outset. CLC Blog Update: Cases of Interest It is a busy time in campaign finance and election law, with a growing number of cases on court dockets around the country, particularly those challenging existing campaign finance laws. With all the new developments, it seemed a particularly good time to update our “Cases of Interest,” providing a brief summary of pertinent cases and the Campaign Legal Center’s involvement. Break Provides No Breakthrough on FEC Standoff The Easter recess has come and gone and the Federal Election Commission is still held hostage by President Bush and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The two have presented Senators with a Hobson’s choice — either vote for an individual who is wholly unworthy of Senate confirmation, or refuse to let this nomination go through and thus allow the commission charged with enforcing federal campaign laws to be brought to a halt during an election year. |
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