With more and more races getting closer and closer, lawyers for both parties are ready to challenge various stages of the electoral process. How long will it take before we know who controls the next Congress? Will challenges and delays damage confidence in American democracy? Plus, sectarian response to Saddam's death sentence, and ballot measures challenging judicial independence.
FROM THIS EPISODE
Yesterday's death sentence for Saddam Hussein has outraged Sunnis and led to predictions that sectarian difference might never be resolved. But today, a draft proposal from Iraq's Shiite-dominated government offered what could be a major concession.
South Dakota's "Jail 4 Judges" measure, Amendment E, would allow citizens to sue judges who made legal decisions they didn't like. It's the most Draconian evidence of a national movement to control what backers call "a system gone out of control." In addition to South Dakota, Oregon, Colorado and North Dakota all have ballot measures that would limit the independence of judges. Is the judiciary at risk as an institution?
The latest polls show Republicans picking up steam among likely voters, meaning that more races for the Senate and Congress could be closer than ever. With the possibility of more challenges at various stages of the electoral process, both parties are mobilizing thousands of lawyers. Republicans are concentrating on possible fraud, Democrats are focused on access, and the federal Department of Justice is sending 800 lawyers to 65 cities in 20 states. How long will it take before we know who’s in charge on Capitol Hill? Will challenges and delays damage confidence in American democracy? We hear about possible challenges to voter ID, electronic voting and absentee ballots.
John Mercurio, Senior Editor, The Hotline
Rick Hasen, University of California, Irvine (@rickhasen)
Audra Miller, Spokesperson for the Maryland Republican Party
Rob Heggie, General Council for the Missouri Democratic Party
Karlyn Bowman, Resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute
Thomas Patterson, Professor of Government at Harvard University