Outside the Beltway

Basic trust in process is essential for democratic governance to function and major party nominees ought not be undercutting that trust for cynical gain.

Big losses for proponents of Voter ID laws in two swing states.

A big setback for one of the most restrictive Voter ID Laws in the country.

Americans have increasingly come to view their political opponents as not just wrong, but evil, stupid, and immoral. That’s not something that makes for a healthy representative democratic republic.

If Donald Trump is going to win in early states like Iowa or New Hampshire, he needs a ground game that will get voters to the polls. It doesn’t seem like he has much of one right now.

Today, many states and municipalities are having elections that will mostly attract Democrats.

Budget cuts mean it is now harder to get an ID in much of Alabama.

A Federal Appeals Court has dealt a setback to Texas in the battle over its Voter ID Law.

An important tenet of the internet is “don’t read the comments.” Well, I have violated that rule of late–which means more musings on the symbols of the CSA.

Being required to demonstrate competency in liberal arts to teach is racially discriminatory, a federal judge has ruled.

In a marked departure from recent cases, the Supreme Court rules that states can impose significant restriction on solicitation of campaign contributions in judicial elections.

Another setback for those opposed to Voter ID laws.

Based on the available evidence, there’s very little evidence that Voter ID laws had a significant impact on the midterm elections.

Every member of the Supreme Court graduated from an Ivy League Law School. That kind of homogeneity is not healthy.

After the 2010 elections, several newly Republican state legislatures flirted with the idea of changing the way their state allocates Electoral Votes. The outcome of last weeks elections raises the possibility that this could happen again.

The Walk This Way Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

States may not add to Federal requirements for voter registration, the Court rules. Which makes perfect sense.

There’s more to life than politics. Unfortunately, there are many Americans who don’t seem to recognize that fact.

Early voting is a still new idea in the United States, but one that has quickly spread to a majority of states. But, is it a good idea?

Another pre-election stay ruling from the Supreme Court.

A victory for the opponents of Voter ID laws that will be untouchable by the Supreme Court.

After a setback, Texas will be allowed to enforce its Voter ID law. At least for now.

A victory for opponents of Voter ID in Texas, but it’s not likely to stand up on appeal.

Opponents of Voter ID laws should not get too excited over the fact that the Supreme Court has stayed Wisconsin’s law from going into effect for now.

An unsurprising decision from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Supreme Court has issued a stay that will allow changes to Ohio’s early voting law to remain in effect for this year’s election. That was the correct decision.

A set back for opponents of Voter ID in Wisconsin.

The numbers are shocking!

A major voting rights ruling out of North Carolina.

There is simply no evidence of the kind of in-person voter impersonation that Voter ID Laws were designed to prevent.

Once again, Rand Paul is challenging conservative orthodoxy.

A legal setback for Voter ID laws in Wisconsin.

Voter ID supporters are pointing to a report from the North Carolina Board of Elections as proof of ongoing Voter Fraud. But, while long on facts, the report has yet to reach any such conclusions.

A pattern continues.

Do Voter ID laws really suppress voter turnout? The evidence from at least one state doesn’t prove it.

The That’s No Moon Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

Women in Texas who changed their name when they got married may have trouble voting.

Reports of the death of the Voting Rights Act have been greatly exaggerated.

Conservatives are doing what the criticized JournoList for doing—even though JournoList didn’t.

Effective immediately, Texans will have to show photo identification to vote.

Today’s decision by the Supreme Court was, on the surface, a victory for Federal Supremacy, but the issue itself is far from resolved.

Thinking can be an uncomfortable exercise.

As is often the case with sex scandals, pretty much everything ever written about General David Petraeus takes on an ironic double meaning in hindsight.

Demographics are not destiny; policy positions drive decision, ultimately.