“Free speech test for judicial reform; Nevada fundraising ban constitutional, advocate says”: The Los Angeles Times today contains an article that begins, “Banning judges from personally soliciting or accepting campaign contributions would not represent an improper restriction on their constitutional rights and would help restore the integrity of Nevada’s troubled judiciary, an advocate for reform has argued. The Nevada Supreme Court is expected to decide in coming months whether to implement the ban. The measure would put Nevada in line with much of the rest of the nation, and advocates believe it would mark a significant step in judicial reform.”
“Civil unions on track for legalization; Trenton sees consensus opposing gay marriage”: This article appears today in The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger.
“Ban on abortions trails in new poll”: The Washington Times today contains an article that begins, “A South Dakota ballot measure to ban almost all abortions in the state is likely to fail by a wide margin, a new poll says.”
And The Argus Leader of Sioux Falls, South Dakota reports today that “Tribes might sway abortion vote; Traditional views would tend to support ban.”
“Campaign to End Race Preferences Splits Michigan”: This article appears today in The New York Times.
“Appeals Court Blocks South Dakota Law on Doctors’ Statement to Seekers of Abortion”: Adam Liptak has this article today in The New York Times.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports today that “Changes won last year in South Dakota abortion law put on hold.”
And The Associated Press reports that “Abortion law still not to be enforced; Court upholds ban on enforcement of warning statute in South Dakota.”
My earlier coverage appears at this link.
“China Changes Death Penalty Law”: The Associated Press provides this report.
And Xinhua reports that “China changes law to limit death sentence.”
“Assessing the Damages”: The New York Times today contains an editorial that begins, “The Supreme Court has been struggling to address the thorny question of when, if ever, punitive damages become so large that they violate the Constitution.”
“Attention, Voters: Have Your ID Ready; In Many States, New Rules On Identification at the Polls Spark Confusion, Controversy.” The Wall Street Journal contains this article (free access) today.
“Evidence in Williams case draws high court’s attention; Prosecutor calls post-shooting acts fair game for retrial”: This article appears today in The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger.
And The New York Times today contains an article headlined “Debate Over What Evidence to Allow in Ex-Net’s Retrial.”
“Tobacco Comes To The Supreme Court: Philip Morris seeks to torpedo punitive damage awards in lung cancer case.” Jessica Holzer provides this report at Forbes.com.
On this date in 2005: One year ago today, President Bush announced that he was nominating Third Circuit Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. You can access a transcript and video of the announcement via this link. And my coverage from one year ago today can be accessed at this link.
“The New Jersey Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Decision: Couples Get the Benefits of Marriage, but Will They Also Get the Name?” Joanna Grossman and Linda McClain have this essay online at FindLaw.
