From Scotusblog: The Roberts court’s record on the First Amendment

For our look at the U.S. Bill of Rights, as well as the impact of the Roberts Court after the addition of Amy Coney Barrett.

- Click here for the article.

The Roberts court is often treated as especially protective of the First Amendment. It is true that the court has reshaped free speech law across such areas as campaign finance, student speech, government speech, and online platforms. It has also transformed religious doctrine through expanding the free exercise clause and the establishment clause, and in several religious-accommodation cases.

But these two First Amendment stories are not the same. The court’s speech cases are often favorable towards speakers, but speech claimants do not win uniformly. Religion is more consistent. Across the Roberts court, religious claimants have done unusually well. That pattern predates Justice Amy Coney Barrett, but it has become sharper since she joined the court. And when cases sit at the boundary between speech and religion, the claimant often fares especially well.

The takeaway is that the Roberts court, particularly post-Barrett, is not simply pro–First Amendment. It is more precise to say that the court is often pro-speech, strongly pro-religion, and most consistent when speech overlaps with religious identity or conscience. That distinction is fundamental for understanding the court’s current direction, including its decision to hear the case of St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, which challenges long-standing religious precedent.

- What is the Roberts Court?

Supreme Court Is Asked to Take Another Ax to Campaign Finance Limits

 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/us/politics/supreme-court-campaign-finance.html

U.S. and Texas Election Code

U.S. Election Code: 

- Title 52—Voting And Elections

- - Voting Rights
- - Voting Assistance and Election Administration
- - Federal Campaign Finance

Texas Election Code: 

- TITLE 1. INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
- TITLE 2. VOTER QUALIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATION
- TITLE 3. ELECTION OFFICERS AND OBSERVERS
- TITLE 4. TIME AND PLACE OF ELECTIONS
- TITLE 5. ELECTION SUPPLIES
- TITLE 6. CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
- TITLE 7. EARLY VOTING
- TITLE 8. VOTING SYSTEMS
- TITLE 9. CANDIDATES
- TITLE 10. POLITICAL PARTIES
- TITLE 11. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
- TITLE 12. ELECTIONS TO FILL VACANCY IN OFFICE
- TITLE 13. RECOUNTS
- TITLE 14. ELECTION CONTESTS
- TITLE 15. REGULATING POLITICAL FUNDS AND CAMPAIGNS
- TITLE 16. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
- TITLE 17. LOCAL OPTION ELECTIONS

__________

Legislation contained in U.S. Code:

- Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Voting Rights Act of 1965
- National Voter Registration Act of 1993
- Voting Rights Language Assistance Act of 1992
- Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
- Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act
- Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1979
- Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975
- Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1974
- Civil Rights Act of 1957
- Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act
- Help America Vote Act of 2002
- Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act
- Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000
- Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
- Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
- Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

From the Houston Chronicle: Meet the Houston megadonors who gave the most campaign cash over 25 years

For our look at campaign finance.


- Click here for the article.  

Snippets: 

No Houston-area megadonor gave more than homebuilder Bob Perry, a key financier of conservative causes for decades, who contributed more than $63 million to candidates and committees between January 2001 and his death in 2013.

That’s almost $30 million more than the next highest donor, John Nau, who is the former chairman and CEO of Silver Eagle Distributors, the nation’s largest independent distributor of Anheuser-Busch beverages.

. . . 

Where the money went

The largest share of money — more than $37 million — flowed to the influential lobbying group Texans for Lawsuit Reform. The group, formed by Houston homebuilder Dick Weekley, successfully advocated for substantial edits to the Texas civil justice code in the 1990s and early 2000s that made it harder for Texans to sue doctors and corporations when they were injured or otherwise harmed. TLR is itself the largest political donor in Texas politics.


Texans for Greg Abbott received the next largest share of funds from the Houston megadonors, about $24 million since 2001. American Crossroads and Restore Our Future, two federal committees bolstering Republican causes, also received large amounts of money, at $19 million and $13 million, respectively.

Dear ChatGPT: How competitive are elections in the United States? in Texas?

How competitive are elections in the United States? in Texas?

The competitiveness of elections in the United States varies significantly depending on the level of government (federal, state, local) and geographic region. Here's a breakdown:


1. Federal Elections (President, Senate, House)

- Presidential Elections: Generally competitive, with major parties (Democrats and Republicans) closely contesting swing states. However, the Electoral College can make the race feel less competitive in states that consistently vote for one party.
- Senate Elections: Moderately competitive, but many seats are considered “safe” for one party due to state partisanship. Competitive races usually happen in battleground states.
- House Elections: Less competitive overall. Due to gerrymandering and demographic sorting, many House districts are designed to favor one party, making the general election a foregone conclusion in many places. Only about 10–15% of seats are considered truly competitive in most cycles.


2. State and Local Elections

- Governors and State Legislatures: Competitiveness depends on the state. Some states (like Wisconsin, Arizona, and Georgia) see intense competition; others are dominated by one party.
- Local Elections: Often less competitive due to low voter turnout, incumbent advantages, and lack of major party influence in some areas (especially in nonpartisan races).


3. Factors That Affect Competitiveness

- Incumbency: Incumbents are reelected at high rates, especially in Congress.
- Gerrymandering: Drawing of electoral district lines to favor one party reduces competitiveness.
- Campaign Finance: Well-funded candidates often deter challengers.
- Primary Elections: Can be more competitive than general elections, especially in one-party districts.


4. Indicators of Competitiveness

- Margin of Victory: Smaller margins indicate higher competitiveness.
- Number of Contested Races: Some districts have no challenger at all.
- Voter Turnout: Competitive races often drive higher turnout.


Conclusion: U.S. elections are structurally competitive in design, but actual competitiveness is often reduced by factors like gerrymandering, incumbency, and political polarization. Some races are hotly contested, especially at the national level and in swing areas, while many others are not.


How competitive are elections in Texas?

Elections in Texas tend to be low‑competition overall, though a few regions and races are becoming more competitive. Here's a breakdown across levels:


State Legislature

According to Ballotpedia, in 2024 Texas had a legislative competitiveness index of 36.9, ranking 17th 
 60% of seats were contested by both parties.
 41% of incumbents faced primary challenges.
 About 10% of races were open seats.

Even though competition has increased slightly since 2022  most districts remain safe for the dominant party.

U.S. House & Gerrymandering

Congressional races in Texas are especially uncompetitive, heavily shaped by aggressive GOP gerrymandering:

Only 3 truly competitive districts remain in the 2024 map ballotpedia.org+11democracydocket.com+11brennancenter.org+11reformaustin.org+1medium.com+1.


Republican-controlled redistricting created a “firewall”: 21 out of 25 GOP-held seats were Trump+, 15‑point or more brennancenter.org+2brennancenter.org+2tpr.org+2.


AP estimates gerrymandering awarded the GOP +4 extra U.S. House seats in the latest cycle—+5 specifically in Texas .

Despite Democrats often securing ~46–48% of statewide vote, they hold just 13 of 38 U.S. House seats 

Statewide & Federal Races

- Presidential elections: In 2024, Trump won TX by ~13.7%, his strongest in the state since 2012 a clear GOP advantage.

- Gubernatorial races: Gov. Abbott won reelection in 2022 by ~10.9%, nearly 14-point wins in many rural counties reformaustin.org+6medium.com+6tpr.org+6en.wikipedia.org.

- Senate primaries: The GOP Senate primary is unusually competitive, with internal division between Cornyn and Paxton, and possibly a third candidate wsj.com+2statesman.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2. Historically, though, general elections remain solidly Republican.

Local Trends & Demographics

Rapid suburban growth—areas like Fort Bend County—are shifting toward Democrats en.wikipedia.org.

Local races (e.g., San Antonio mayor) have seen partisan influence, illustrating changing dynamics at the municipal level .

Democrats are investing heavily in infrastructure and local candidate recruitment (e.g., Beto O’Rourke’s town halls; Soros-funded "Blue Texas") wsj.com, hoping to build competitiveness over time.

Bottom Line

- Statewide and congressional races: GOP-dominated and largely uncompetitive due to gerrymandering and structural advantages.

- Legislative and local races: Slightly more competitive, particularly in suburbs and open-seat contests.

- Primaries: Growing in competitiveness, especially within the GOP.

- Future outlook: Changing demographics and Democratic investments may bring more competitive races in suburbs and some down-ballot offices—but the core structure remains Boston-heavy GOP.

Texas is trending toward a more competitive landscape—but for now, on most levels, elections are still characterized by low competition and party-line certainty, especially under current maps.

https://www.transparencyusa.org/tx/contributor/steven-alvis?cycle=2015-to-now&page=1

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/columnists/sarnoff/article/Developer-builds-family-camp-for-the-6854872.php

https://www.houstonoaks.com/story/owners

https://younginvincibles.org/our-story/

https://www.txdot.gov/about/leadership/texas-transportation-commission/steven-alvis.html

https://www.alvin-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2296/Campaign-Finance-Report-2025-Seth-Carrasco?bidId=

https://texasblockchaincouncil.org/

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB365

For UH - 3/17/25

Where we've been
- US Chapter 1: American Political Culture
- TX Chapter 1: Texas Political Culture
- US Chapter 2: Founding and Constitution
- TX Chapter 2: Texas Constitution
- US Chapter 3: Federalism
- TX Chapter 3: Federalism
- US Chapter 4: Civil Liberities
- US Chapter 10: Campaign and Elections
- TX Chapter 5: Campaign and Elections
- US Chapter 9: Political Parties
- TX Chapter 4: Political Parties
- US Chapter 11: Groups and Interests
- TX Chapter 6: Interest Groups and Lobbying

Where we are headed: 
- US Chapter 8: Political Participation and Voting
- US Chapter 7: The Media
- US Chapter 6: Public Opinion
- US Chapter 5: Civil Rights
- TX Chapter 11: Public Policy
- TX Chapter 11: Public Finance
- TX Chapter 13: Crime, Corrections, and Public Safety
- TX Chapter 14: Texas Public Policy

For Today - 3/17/25

- Political Culture.
- Texas Legislature Online.
- - Elections
- Texas Fiscal Size-Up.
- All of the Trump Administration’s Major Moves in the First 56 Days.

About Ad Fontes - to the source - Media

Since I use their media bias chart, it's useful to dig into their methodology. How do they determine if something is on the left or right? And how to they determine the quality of the a media source.

- For a full look at it, click here.  

These are the issues used to decide ideology: 

Question: which position is left and which position is right?

- Abortion-related policy
- Race-related policy
- Campaign finance
- Climate-related policy
- Criminal justice reform
- Defense/military budget
- Subsidized food and housing
- Gun-related policy
- Higher education policy
- Immigration
- International affairs
- K-12 education policy
- LGBTQ-related policies
- Marijuana policy
- Private/public health care funding
- Regulation of corporations
- Social security
- Tax-related policies

For each of the issues above, we request that each analyst identify their perspective as:

“Decidedly to the left”
“Moderately to the left”
“Centrist or undecided”
“Moderately to the right”
“Decidedly to the right”

Dear ChatGPT: How politically powerful is the oil industry in the United States?

The oil industry has been one of the most politically powerful industries in the United States, exerting substantial influence on both domestic policy and foreign relations for over a century. Its political power has been driven by its central role in powering the U.S. economy, its vast economic wealth, and the strategic importance of oil for national security and global influence. The oil industry has shaped U.S. policies on everything from energy production and climate change to foreign relations and military strategy. Here's an overview of the political power of the oil industry in the United States over time:


1. Early Beginnings and Industrialization (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)

Rise of the Oil Industry: The U.S. oil industry began with the discovery of oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1859, which marked the start of large-scale oil production in the U.S. By the early 20th century, companies like Standard Oil, led by John D. Rockefeller, controlled the majority of the oil industry. Standard Oil became one of the most powerful corporations in U.S. history, with Rockefeller at the helm influencing economic and political decisions.

Government Support and Regulation: Initially, the oil industry was mostly unregulated, benefiting from government policies that encouraged rapid industrialization. The industry helped fuel the automobile revolution, the growth of railroads, and the expansion of electricity. The government viewed oil as essential to national prosperity and supported policies that helped the industry grow.


2. The Age of Oil Barons and the Creation of OPEC (Early to Mid 20th Century)

Oil and Economic Power: By the early 20th century, the oil industry had become a central part of the U.S. economy. The nation's dependence on oil for transportation, military, and industry made the oil industry politically powerful. Key players like Rockefeller and other oil magnates exerted influence over Congress, the presidency, and regulatory bodies.

Oil and Foreign Policy: The discovery of vast oil reserves in places like the Middle East began to shift the U.S. government's approach to foreign relations. The U.S. government, led by oil interests, began to work with other oil-producing countries and companies to ensure stable access to oil supplies. The creation of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1960 was partly a response to the growing political influence of oil-producing nations, particularly those in the Middle East. OPEC had a major impact on global oil prices, leading the U.S. to adopt policies to secure its oil interests abroad.


3. The Post-World War II Era and the Cold War (1940s-1980s)

Oil and the Cold War: After World War II, the U.S. became a dominant global superpower, and oil was crucial to maintaining its military and economic strength. The U.S. government's involvement in global oil markets was seen as central to maintaining national security during the Cold War. Countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, became strategic allies in securing the flow of oil, and U.S. foreign policy often prioritized access to oil-rich regions.

CIA Operations: The U.S. government, often working in concert with major oil companies, was involved in covert operations to protect and secure oil interests. This included efforts to overthrow governments in oil-rich regions, such as the 1953 coup in Iran that replaced the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh with the Shah of Iran, largely due to his nationalization of Iranian oil reserves.

Domestic Political Influence: Domestically, the oil industry maintained close ties with political leaders. Politicians in oil-producing states like Texas, Alaska, and Louisiana played a key role in shaping energy policy. The industry was also a major contributor to political campaigns, ensuring the continued political support of lawmakers who favored pro-business and pro-oil policies.

Lobbying and Campaign Contributions: The oil industry became a significant player in lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. Oil companies spent heavily on political donations to candidates who supported their interests, often securing favorable treatment in terms of tax breaks, subsidies, and regulations.


4. The 1970s: Oil Crises and Shifts in Political Power

1973 Oil Crisis: The 1973 oil embargo by OPEC countries caused an oil shock that led to skyrocketing oil prices and a major economic crisis in the U.S. It exposed the vulnerabilities of U.S. oil dependence and shifted the political discourse. In response, the U.S. government pushed for energy independence and began to explore alternative energy sources.

Energy Policy: The oil crisis led to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (1975), which aimed to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil by encouraging energy conservation and alternative energy development. However, the oil industry still wielded significant political power, as major oil companies were still able to shape U.S. policy and push for continued access to foreign oil.

1980s: Deregulation and the Reagan Era: The 1980s saw a shift toward deregulation, especially under the leadership of President Ronald Reagan. Reagan's pro-business policies, which included tax cuts for corporations and rolling back environmental regulations, were seen as highly favorable to the oil industry. This era saw the growth of the oil and gas lobby, and the industry continued to exert significant influence over energy policy.


5. The 1990s and 2000s: The Oil Industry's Continued Dominance

Clinton and Bush Administrations: During the Clinton administration, the oil industry maintained its power through lobbying efforts. However, it was the Bush administration (2001-2009) that was particularly marked by close ties between the oil industry and the U.S. government. Vice President Dick Cheney, who had been the CEO of Halliburton, a major oil services company, was a key player in shaping U.S. energy policy. The industry benefited from tax breaks, deregulation, and favorable policies that prioritized domestic oil production and exploration.

Iraq War and Oil: The 2003 Iraq War further highlighted the strategic importance of oil in U.S. foreign policy. Many critics argued that securing access to Iraq's vast oil reserves played a central role in the decision to invade. While the official justification was to eliminate weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), the U.S. government's interest in securing oil resources was widely discussed in the media and among political analysts.

The "Big Oil" Influence: During this period, the "Big Oil" companies—ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and others—continued to dominate the energy market. Their political influence remained strong through lobbying, campaign contributions, and direct relationships with key politicians.


6. The 2010s to Present: Climate Change, Energy Transition, and Political Power

Fracking Boom and Political Influence: The rise of fracking (hydraulic fracturing) in the U.S. in the 2010s revolutionized oil and gas production, making the U.S. one of the world’s largest producers of oil. The shale oil boom gave the U.S. energy independence and shifted the global energy landscape. Politically, the boom increased the influence of the oil and gas industry as energy production became a key focus of U.S. policy.

Lobbying and Campaign Contributions: The oil and gas industry continued to be a major player in lobbying and campaign finance, especially in advocating for tax incentives, deregulation, and limited government intervention in environmental issues.

Climate Change and Policy Divides: The increasing focus on climate change and environmental regulation, particularly under the leadership of President Barack Obama, led to political conflicts with the oil industry. The Paris Agreement (2015), which the U.S. initially committed to under Obama, faced strong opposition from fossil fuel interests, particularly in the Republican Party.

Under President Donald Trump (2017-2021), the oil industry enjoyed a period of deregulation, with the Trump administration rolling back environmental protections, promoting domestic oil and gas production (including in protected areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge), and approving pipelines like the Keystone XL.

Biden Administration and the Oil Industry: With the election of Joe Biden in 2020, there has been renewed focus on climate change and transitioning to renewable energy. The Biden administration has taken steps to limit new oil and gas drilling on federal lands and pushed for aggressive carbon emissions reduction targets. However, the oil industry still exerts significant influence in Congress, especially in states like Texas and North Dakota, where oil production is a key part of the economy.

Oil Price Volatility: The oil industry’s influence is also demonstrated in the global energy market's response to oil price fluctuations, especially with OPEC's role in managing production and pricing. The U.S. oil industry is politically powerful in shaping both domestic and international energy policies.


Key Factors Driving the Political Power of the Oil Industry:

Economic Importance: Oil is essential to the U.S. economy, not just for transportation, but also for manufacturing, chemicals, and plastics. It has been a cornerstone of economic growth and technological development.

Strategic National Security Role: Oil is critical for military operations, defense capabilities, and economic stability. Control over oil resources and access to global energy markets has been a central concern in U.S. foreign policy.

Lobbying and Political Contributions: The oil industry has spent billions on lobbying and political contributions, ensuring that policymakers align with their interests on energy policy, environmental regulation, and tax incentives.

Energy Independence and National Power: The oil industry’s ability to secure domestic energy independence (especially through fracking and shale oil) has enhanced its political leverage in U.S. and global policy debates.


Conclusion

The oil industry has been one of the most politically powerful sectors in U.S. history, with significant influence on domestic policy, foreign relations, and national security. Its power has been driven by its central role in energy production, the economy, and military operations. While the growing focus on climate change and renewable energy presents new challenges, the oil industry remains a potent political force, particularly in energy policy, lobbying, and elections. As the U.S. continues to grapple with the future of fossil fuels, the oil industry’s influence will likely continue to shape debates on energy independence, environmental regulations, and global geopolitics.

What is the Federal Election Commission?

From Wikipedia: Federal Election Commission. 

. . . an independent agency of the United States government that enforces U.S. campaign finance laws and oversees U.S. federal elections. Created in 1974 through amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act,[3] the commission describes its duties as "to disclose campaign finance information, to enforce the provisions of the law such as the limits and prohibitions on contributions, and to oversee the public funding of Presidential elections." It is led by six commissioners who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

From Wikipedia: Federal Election Campaign Act.

. . . the primary United States federal law regulating political campaign fundraising and spending. The law originally focused on creating limits for campaign spending on communication media, adding additional penalties to the criminal code for election law violations, and imposing disclosure requirements for federal political campaigns. The Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on February 7, 1972.

Click here for the FEC website.

Click here for contribution limits.

What is an independent agency of the United States government?

Ask ChatGPT:

What is a political campaign? 

A political campaign is an organized effort to influence decision-making within a specific group, typically aimed at securing votes for a candidate or party in an election. Campaigns involve various activities, including:

- Messaging: Developing a clear platform and communicating policies and values to voters.
- Fundraising: Raising money to support campaign activities, such as advertising and events.
- Outreach: Engaging with voters through door-to-door canvassing, phone calls, social media, and events.
- Debates and Public Appearances: Participating in public forums to discuss issues and interact with constituents.
- Advertising: Creating ads for television, radio, print, and online platforms to promote the candidate and their message.

Campaigns can vary in scale, from local elections to national contests, and they often involve strategizing to respond to opponents, mobilizing supporters, and ultimately getting people to vote on Election Day.


How are modern presidential campaigns organized?

Modern presidential campaigns are highly organized and strategic endeavors that typically involve several key components:

- Campaign Structure: Campaigns are usually led by a campaign manager who oversees operations, fundraising, and strategy. This team includes various departments like communications, policy, finance, and field operations.

- Fundraising: A significant part of modern campaigns focuses on raising money through donations, fundraising events, and online contributions. Campaigns often set ambitious fundraising goals and utilize various platforms to engage supporters.

- Voter Outreach: Campaigns employ field teams to conduct voter outreach, including door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and organizing events to engage potential voters. They often use data analytics to identify and target key demographics.

- Digital Strategy: The internet plays a crucial role in modern campaigns. This includes social media marketing, email campaigns, and targeted online ads. Campaigns often utilize data to tailor messages to specific voter segments.

- Messaging and Communications: Developing a clear and compelling message is vital. Campaigns create content, manage press relations, and respond to media inquiries to shape public perception.

- Debates and Public Appearances: Candidates participate in debates and town halls to engage with voters and present their platforms. These events are often meticulously planned and rehearsed.

- Coalition Building: Campaigns work to build coalitions with various interest groups, organizations, and influential individuals to broaden their support base.

- Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) Efforts: As the election date approaches, campaigns ramp up efforts to ensure their supporters turn out to vote, utilizing methods like early voting initiatives and transportation assistance.

- Post-Election Strategy: After the election, campaigns may also engage in efforts to ensure a smooth transition, especially if the candidate wins, or to analyze results for future campaigns.

Overall, modern presidential campaigns are complex, data-driven operations that leverage technology, social media, and grassroots engagement to mobilize voters and communicate effectively.

What is political fundraising?

Political fundraising is the process of collecting money to support a political campaign, party, or cause. It plays a crucial role in enabling candidates to cover various expenses, such as advertising, staff salaries, events, and outreach efforts. Key components of political fundraising include:

- Donations: Individuals, organizations, or political action committees (PACs) contribute money. Donations can be one-time or recurring and may have legal limits depending on jurisdiction.

- Events: Candidates often host fundraising events, such as dinners, rallies, or auctions, to engage supporters and encourage donations.

- Online Fundraising: Many campaigns leverage digital platforms to solicit donations through websites, social media, and email campaigns.

- Major Donors and Bundlers: Some campaigns actively seek large contributions from wealthy individuals or "bundlers" who gather donations from multiple sources.

- Public Funding: In some jurisdictions, candidates can access public funds if they meet certain criteria, which can supplement their fundraising efforts.

Effective fundraising is essential for a successful campaign, as it provides the necessary resources to reach voters and promote the candidate's message.

US Code: Title 52 - Voting and Elections

Click here for it.


Categories


1 - Voting Rights

- Subtitle 1 - - Voting Rights.
- - Definition.
- - Free from interference.
- Relevant Amendments
- - 14th
- - 15th
- - 19th
- - 23rd
- - 24th
- - 26th
- Relevant Legislation: 
- - Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- - Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Relevant Federal Agencies
- - Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.


2 - Voting Assistance and Election Administration

- Subtitle 2 - - Voting Assistance and Election Administration.
- - Voting Accessibility
- - Voter Registration
- - Federal Election Records
- - Election Administration Improvement 
- Relevant Legislation: 
- - Help America Vote Act.
- Relevant Federal Agencies:
- - Election Assistance Commission.
- - Federal Election Commission.
- Relevant State Agencies: 
- - Texas Secretary of State, Elections Division.


3 - Federal Campaign Finance 

- Subtitle 3 - - Federal Campaign Finance.
- - Disclosure of Federal Campaign Finance Funds
- - General Provisions
- Relevant Legislation
- - Federal Election Campaign Act.
- Relevant Federal Agencies
- - Federal Election Commission.
- Relevant Supreme Court Decisions
- - Buckley v. Valeo.
See also: PACs and SuperPACs.

From Ballotpedia: Presidential election key staffers, 2024

Who is running the campaign for the people running for president?

- Click here for the link.

For Kamala Harris: Click here.
For Donald Trump: Click here.

From Ballotpedia: What is a campaign staff?

Campaign staff plays an important role in presidential elections. The makeup of a candidate's staff can signal the strength of their support from influential party activists and whether they are aligning with a particular faction or group within the party. Eric Appleman of Democracy in Action describes candidates' efforts to hire staffers as a "race for talent, both nationally and in key early states." He adds, "The goal is to assemble a team of top talent that can work together effectively to mobilize resources, boost the candidate and his or her message, and ultimately secure the party's nomination."

Presidential candidates will typically have a national staff, which is overseen by a
- campaign manager and assisted by
- political consultants,
- senior advisors,
- professional polling firms, and
- key stakeholders such as
- - interest group leaders and
- - major financial supporters.

They also build organizations in individual states that are overseen by state directors and staffed by - party activists and
- political professionals well-versed in the particular politics of the area. Candidates often appoint elected officials and other important figures in their party's coalition as chairs of their national campaign and state-level campaigns.

Dear ChatGPT: What is a campaign staffer?

A campaign staffer is someone who works on a political campaign, helping to manage various aspects of the campaign's operation. Their roles can vary widely, depending on the size and scope of the campaign, but generally include tasks like
- organizing events
- managing communications
- conducting outreach to voters
- handling social media
- coordinating logistics.

In larger campaigns, staffers might have specific titles and responsibilities, such as
- field organizers who work on voter outreach,
- communications directors who handle media relations, or
- finance directors who manage fundraising efforts.

In smaller campaigns, staffers might wear multiple hats and take on a variety of tasks. Essentially, their goal is to support the candidate and help ensure the campaign runs smoothly and effectively. 

From the Texas Tribune: Texas Ethics Commission will require influencers to disclose when they’re paid for advertisement

An attempt to regulate social media impact on campaigns. Influencers are now officially recognized as campaign operatives who must disclose who they work for. 

Among other things, this is an example of rulemaking by the executive branch.

- Click here for the article.  

Texas’ top campaign finance watchdog voted Tuesday to require social media figures to disclose when they are paid for political advertisement, nearly a year after The Texas Tribune reported that influencers were being quietly paid to defend impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton.

In a 7-0 vote, the Texas Ethics Commission gave final approval to the changes, which were first proposed in March.

Last summer, the Tribune reported on a new company, Influenceable, that was paying Gen Z influencers to create or share social media posts that attacked the impeachment process and the Texas Republicans leading it, including House Speaker Dade Phelan. Commissioners did not mention the company directly on Tuesday, but said at their previous meeting that the changes were in response to “at least one business” that was paying social media figures for undisclosed political messaging.

Influenceable has a partnership with Campaign Nucleus, a digital campaign service that was founded by Brad Parscale, a top official on former President Donald Trump’s last two campaigns. It also received $18,000 from Defend Texas Liberty in May 2023, after which influencers began to parrot claims that Paxton was the victim of a political witch hunt, accuse Phelan of being a drunk or urge their millions of collective followers to come to Paxton’s aid.

Defend Texas Liberty is a political action committee that two West Texas oil billionaires, Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, used to give more than $15 million to far-right campaigns and candidates in the state since 2021. The two are by far Paxton’s biggest donors.

The new change amends the commission’s rules to clarify that disclosures are required for those who are paid more than $100 to post or repost political advertisements.

“This is not the case of the TEC inventing a substantive requirement to rule making,” the commission’s general counsel, James Tinsley, said before the vote. “It’s quite the opposite. It’s pairing back an exception.”

The rule change was strongly opposed by groups and figures funded by Dunn and Wilks, who decried it when it was first proposed earlier this year and claimed that the commission was creating a “secret speech police” that could target citizens for routine social media posts. Some of the loudest critics of the proposal, including the right-wing website Texas Scorecard, have for years been involved in lawsuits that challenged the constitutionality of the commission and sought to strip it of most of its regulatory powers.

The Donor Class

Decreases in the the limits placed on money in politics has allowed a small handful of wealthy individuals to have increased influence on government. 

These people are referred to as the donor class. Their increased power has led many to question whether we are in fact still a democracy.

Some background: 

Question: What is the donor class? 

Answer: The political donor class refers to a group of individuals or organizations that contribute significant amounts of money to political campaigns or causes. These donors often wield influence over political decision-making processes due to their financial contributions, which can fund advertising, lobbying efforts, and other activities that promote their interests or preferred policies.

Key characteristics of the political donor class include:

1 - Financial Influence: They have the financial means to donate substantial sums to political campaigns, parties, or political action committees (PACs).

2 - Access to Politicians: Donors often gain access to elected officials and policymakers, allowing them to directly advocate for their interests.

3 - Policy Influence: Their donations can influence policy decisions, as candidates and elected officials may feel indebted to donors and prioritize their concerns.

4 - Diversity: The donor class can include individuals from various industries, such as finance, technology, healthcare, and energy, each with specific policy goals and priorities.

5 - Regulatory Environment: The influence of the donor class is shaped by campaign finance laws and regulations, which vary by country and jurisdiction.

Critics of the political donor class argue that their influence can undermine democratic principles by skewing policy outcomes in favor of wealthy interests, potentially marginalizing the concerns of ordinary citizens who may not have the financial resources to match the influence of major donors.


Readings: 

- Democracy and the Donor Class.

- What Elite Donors Want.

- How big is the gap between the donor class and ordinary Americans? Bigger than you think.

- Donor Demographics.

This is a terrific graphic

 

- Campaign finance in the United States.

- Sunlight Foundation.

What Chat GPT tells us about selective incentives to group formation, increasing voter turnout, and the basics of lobbying regulation.

What are the selective incentives to group participation?

Selective incentives are benefits that are available only to those who participate in a group or organization. These incentives play a crucial role in motivating individuals to join and remain active in a group. Here are some examples of selective incentives to group participation:

Material Incentives: These include tangible benefits such as discounts, free merchandise, or financial rewards. For example, a membership card that offers discounts at certain stores or restaurants can serve as a material incentive for joining a group.

Solidarity Incentives: These incentives appeal to individuals' desire for social belonging and affiliation. By joining a group, individuals can feel a sense of camaraderie and belonging with others who share similar interests, values, or goals. Social events, group outings, or community gatherings can strengthen these bonds.

Expressive Incentives: Some individuals are motivated to join groups because it allows them to express their identity or values publicly. This can include participating in protests, rallies, or other forms of activism to demonstrate support for a cause or belief.

Informational Incentives: Groups may offer members access to valuable information, resources, or expertise that they would not have access to otherwise. This can include newsletters, workshops, seminars, or access to experts within the group.

Status Incentives: Membership in certain groups can confer social status or prestige within a community or society. For example, belonging to an exclusive club or organization may enhance an individual's reputation or social standing.

Access Incentives: Some groups offer exclusive access to opportunities, networks, or resources that are not available to the general public. This can include job opportunities, networking events, or access to influential individuals within the group's network.

Personal Fulfillment Incentives: Participation in a group may provide individuals with opportunities for personal growth, skill development, or the satisfaction of contributing to a cause they believe in. This can include volunteering, skill-building workshops, or leadership opportunities within the group.

By offering a combination of these selective incentives, groups can attract and retain members who are motivated by different factors, ultimately strengthening the organization and its ability to achieve its goals.

How can voter participation be increased?

Increasing voter participation is crucial for a healthy democracy, and there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this:

Voter Education: Educating voters about the importance of their participation, how the electoral process works, and the impact of their vote can motivate them to engage in the electoral process. This can be done through civics education in schools, public awareness campaigns, and easily accessible information about candidates and issues.

Improving Access to Voting: Making it easier for people to vote can increase participation. This can include measures such as expanding early voting periods, implementing automatic voter registration, allowing online voter registration, and providing mail-in voting options. Additionally, ensuring that polling places are accessible and well-staffed can reduce barriers to voting.

Youth Engagement: Engaging young people in the political process early on can foster lifelong civic engagement. This can be done through programs in schools, youth-oriented voter registration drives, and efforts to make voting more relevant and accessible to young people.

Community Outreach: Building trust and relationships within communities can encourage voter participation. Community organizations, faith-based groups, and grassroots movements can play a crucial role in mobilizing voters by reaching out to them directly, providing information and resources, and addressing specific concerns and barriers to voting.

Campaign Finance Reform: Reforming campaign finance laws to reduce the influence of money in politics can help ensure that the voices of all citizens are heard, regardless of their financial resources. This can include measures such as public financing of elections, stricter disclosure requirements for campaign donations, and limits on the amount of money that can be contributed to political campaigns.

Increasing Political Representation: Increasing the diversity of candidates running for office and ensuring that elected officials are representative of the communities they serve can help engage voters who may feel marginalized or underrepresented in the political process.

Civic Engagement Programs: Implementing programs that encourage civic engagement and participation, such as voter registration drives, civics classes, and volunteer opportunities, can help build a culture of active citizenship and increase voter turnout.

Addressing Barriers to Participation: Identifying and addressing barriers that prevent certain groups from participating in the electoral process, such as voter suppression tactics, language barriers, lack of transportation, or restrictive voter ID laws, is essential for ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots.

By implementing a combination of these strategies, policymakers, community leaders, and grassroots organizations can work together to increase voter participation and strengthen democracy.

What are the basics of lobbying regulation?

1 - Registration: Lobbyists typically need to register with government authorities, disclosing who they are representing and what issues they are lobbying on. This ensures transparency and accountability in the lobbying process.

2 - Disclosure: Lobbyists may be required to disclose their activities, including whom they're lobbying, the issues they're advocating for or against, and the resources they're using (such as funding or support).

3 - Ethical Standards: Many jurisdictions have codes of conduct or ethical standards that lobbyists must adhere to. This can include rules about conflicts of interest, gifts or favors, and honesty in communications.

4 - Reporting Requirements: Lobbyists might be required to report their activities at regular intervals, detailing their interactions with government officials, expenditures, and any other relevant information.

5 - Restrictions on Gifts and Contributions: To prevent undue influence, there may be limits on the value of gifts or contributions that lobbyists can offer to public officials.

6 - Cooling-off Periods: Some jurisdictions impose cooling-off periods, during which former government officials or employees cannot immediately transition into lobbying roles. This is to prevent the revolving door phenomenon and conflicts of interest.

7 - Anti-Corruption Measures: Lobbying regulations often include anti-corruption measures to prevent bribery, kickbacks, or other forms of illicit influence.

8 - Penalties for Non-Compliance: There are usually penalties for violating lobbying regulations, which can range from fines to criminal charges, depending on the severity of the offense.

From Houston Chronicle: All the major leadership changes made by Houston Mayor Whitmire as he shakes up City Hall

For our look at the executive branch on the local level. Strong mayors can select the heads of city departments.

Relevant term: Strong Mayor.

See also: Houston City Departments.

- Click here for the article.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire has begun carrying out a series of leadership changes across city departments in a step toward delivering his campaign pledge to shake up key municipal operations.

Part of Whitmire's campaign last year focused on criticizing what he viewed as ineffective top-level leadership during former Mayor Sylvester Turner's administration. He promised on several occasions to appoint new officials to oversee critical operations such as the city's housing programs and permitting center.

Within the first month of his term, Whitmire has appointed new heads for the Finance Department, Department of Planning and Development and the Department of Neighborhoods. The ongoing personnel revamp has led to the departure of several long standing senior officials, some sparking public outcry.

Whitmire's election marked the first time in eight years that the city's top office changed hands. Here are the major personnel announcements made by the mayor or departing city officials.

Sam Bankman-Fried and Market Failure

As we look at public policy, and the concept of market failure, here seems to be an example of the problem posed by one type of market failure: uneven information.

The problem with fraud is the person perpetuating the fraud knows what they are doing, the victim does not. Laws related to fraud are meant to punish such actions. Bankman-Fried is an example.

- Click here for the Wikipedia page on him.

The public success of Bankman-Fried masked significant problems at FTX, and in November 2022 when evidence of potential fraud began to surface, there was a rush by depositors to withdraw funds forcing the company into bankruptcy. On December 12, 2022, Bankman-Fried was arrested in the Bahamas and extradited to the United States where he was indicted on seven criminal charges including wire fraud, commodities fraud, securities fraud, money laundering, and campaign finance law violations.

In United States v. Bankman-Fried, on November 2, 2023, he was convicted of fraud and conspiracy, on all seven counts. His sentencing, where experts say he likely faces decades in prison, is scheduled for March 28, 2024. A second trial—for five additional charges, including bank fraud and bribery—is scheduled for early March 2024.

Here's more on some of the charges: 

- fraud: In law, fraud is intentional deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain, or to deprive a victim of a legal right. Fraud can violate civil law (e.g., a fraud victim may sue the fraud perpetrator to avoid the fraud or recover monetary compensation) or criminal law (e.g., a fraud perpetrator may be prosecuted and imprisoned by governmental authorities), or it may cause no loss of money, property, or legal right but still be an element of another civil or criminal wrong.

- wire fraud: Mail fraud and wire fraud are terms used in the United States to describe the use of a physical or electronic mail system to defraud another, and are U.S. federal crimes. Jurisdiction is claimed by the federal government if the illegal activity crosses interstate or international borders.

- commodities fraud: The illegal act of obtaining (or the attempt of obtaining) a certain amount of currency in accordance with a contract that promises the later exchange of equated assets, which ultimately never arrive, is a type of fraud, known as commodities fraud.[40] Alternatively, the term can relate to: the failure of registering in an exchange; the act of deliberately providing falsified information to clients; the action of executing transactions with the sole purpose of making a profit for the payee; the theft of client funds.

- securities fraud: Securities fraud, also known as stock fraud and investment fraud, is a deceptive practice in the stock or commodities markets that induces investors to make purchase or sale decisions on the basis of false information. The setups are generally made to result in monetary gain for the deceivers, and generally result in unfair monetary losses for the investors. They are generally violating securities laws. Securities fraud can also include outright theft from investors (embezzlement by stockbrokers), stock manipulation, misstatements on a public company's financial reports, and lying to corporate auditors.

__________

- U.S. Code: Title 18.

- Texas Penal Code, Chapter 7.

From the New York Times: Sam Bankman-Fried Is Found Guilty of 7 Counts of Fraud and Conspiracy

A look at federal criminal law.

- Click here for the article. 

Sam Bankman-Fried, the tousle-haired mogul who founded the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, was convicted on Thursday of seven charges of fraud and conspiracy after a monthlong trial that laid bare the rampant hubris and risk-taking across the crypto industry.

Mr. Bankman-Fried became a symbol of crypto’s excesses last year when FTX collapsed and he was charged with stealing as much as $10 billion from customers to finance political contributions, venture capital investments and other extravagant spending. A jury of nine women and three men took just over four hours of deliberation on Thursday to reach a verdict, convicting Mr. Bankman-Fried of wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.

Together the counts carry a maximum sentence of 110 years. Mr. Bankman-Fried, 31, is expected to appeal. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on March 28.

___________

For more: 

- SEC Charges Samuel Bankman-Fried with Defrauding Investors in Crypto Asset Trading Platform FTX.

- FTX Founder Indicted for Fraud, Money Laundering, and Campaign Finance Offenses.

- Prosecutors Drop Campaign Finance Charge Against Sam Bankman-Fried.

- The Case Against Sam Bankman-Fried.

- Current laws sufficient to charge Sam Bankman-Fried for alleged fraud: DOJ.


___________

Here is a rundown of the specific laws he violated.

- coming soon.