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The State of the Constitution |
Constitutional Law Updates
Issue 2 Preview
The Aftermath of the 2000 Presidential Election
Eight months after the momentous ruling of the U. S. Supreme Court that
ended the Florida recounts and sealed the presidency for George W. Bush,
this case continues to be a divisive topic. Discussion and analysis of this
ruling will remain an intriguing subject for years to come. The Equal Protection
and Due Process Clauses required Florida to apply uniform standards in counting
votes. The failure to do so invalidated the recounts, and time deadlines
precluded further recounts. The Supreme Court got it right.
Senator Jeffords Switches Parties
In a surprise move in May 2001, Senator Jeffords bolted from the GOP and announced
that he was becoming an "Independent" who would "caucus" with the Democrats. This unprecedented
switch threw control of the Senate from the Republicans to the Democrats.
Is Senator Jeffords really an Independent? Was this move motivated by principle or was it
a power play?
Supreme Court Review
Recent Supreme Court decisions worthy of note include:
--Illegally taped private conversations can be legally broadcast and published;
--Seat belt violators can be arrested;
--Public school cannot exclude religious group from meeting on the premises;
--City ordered not to keep the Ten Commandments (a plaque thereof, that is);
--Police must obtain warrant before searching home with thermal imaging device;
--States cannot make ballots that identify candidates for House and Senate
who will not pledge support for term limits.
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW UPDATES is a quarterly newsletter
edited and published by C. Paul Smith, J.D. Subscription cost is $25.00
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