 |
|
Blog
|
|
Welcome to the Holtzman Vogel Law Blog. We aim to keep you
up to date on important legal developments and other items of interest. On this
blog, we'll track developments in the news and changes to the rules and regulations
affecting political committees, corporate PACs, trade associations, non-profit groups
and advocacy organizations. We'll also keep you updated on the lobbying and ethics
arena. The Law Blog is designed to supplement our regular newsletter.
On behalf of the Holtzman Vogel team, I hope you find this site helpful and interesting.
And we hope you'll become a regular visitor. (If you'd like to receive our newsletter,
please click here to sign up.)
Jill Holtzman Vogel
|
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
SEIU Attempt to Create Third Party in North Carolina Fails
In April, we noted reports that the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) was attempting to create a third party in North Carolina as part of an effort to defeat Democratic Congressman who voted against the health care bill. Today, the Washignton Post reports that that effort has failed because the union "did not gather the 85,000 signatures by Tuesday's deadline, meaning the third party, North Carolina First, will not be recognized on the general election ballot." The union will run independent candidates instead.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Unions Seek to Qualify Third Party in North Carolina
From the Washington Post: "Frustrated liberals and labor organizers are taking aim at the Democratic Party, rushing to gather enough signatures to start a third party that they believe could help oust three Democratic congressmen....The nascent third party, North Carolina First, could endanger the Democratic congressional majority by siphoning votes from incumbent Democrats in November's midterm election, potentially enabling Republican challengers to pick up the seats....SEANC [State Employees Association of North Carolina] and its parent group, the Service Employees International Union [SEIU], possibly the nation's most politically powerful labor union, are funding the effort, which was announced April 8. In the days since, they have hired more than 100 canvassers who are rounding up the signatures needed to qualify as a third party on the general election ballot....The unions are giving voice to progressive activists across this state who say they feel betrayed by Reps. Larry Kissell, Heath Shuler and Mike McIntyre, Democrats who sided with Republicans against the health-care bill....Establishing the new party will be difficult, however. The group must gather signatures from 85,000 registered voters by June 1 to qualify for the November ballot. Then it has one month to nominate candidates; organizers said they had not identified any."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wash. Times: Justice concludes black voters need Democratic Party; U.S. blocks N.C. city's nonpartisan vote
The Washington Times reports "Voters in this small city [Kinston, NC] decided overwhelmingly last year to do away with the party affiliation of candidates in local elections, but the Obama administration recently overruled the electorate and decided that equal rights for black voters cannot be achieved without the Democratic Party.
The Justice Department's ruling, which affects races for City Council and mayor, went so far as to say partisan elections are needed so that black voters can elect their "candidates of choice" - identified by the department as those who are Democrats and almost exclusively black." (The Justice Department's ruling was issued in mid-August.)
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
North Carolina Amends Campaign Finance Law
Included in the amendments (Session Law 2009-534) are revisions to the state's electioneering communication law, which appear designed to bring the law into line with the U.S. Supreme Court's Wisconsin Right to Life decision and the current FEC regulation. However, North Carolina's law is still broader than the federal standard. While it incorporates some of the FEC's regulatory standard, it does not include the requirement that the communication is subject to regulation only if it is "susceptible of no reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a clearly identified candidate." The law also extends beyond television ads, covering mass mailings and telephone banks. Legal challenges are expected.
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Bill To Ban Robocalls Introduced in North Carolina
The High Point Enteprise reports that Rep. Pricey Harrison introduced a bill that would include political robocalls in the state's do-not-call law.
Click here to read the entire post.
|
 |