📖 Overview
Richard L. Hasen is a legal scholar and expert in election law and campaign finance regulation. He serves as Professor of Law and Political Science at UC Irvine School of Law and was previously a professor at Loyola Law School.
Hasen has authored several influential books on election law including "Election Meltdown," "The Voting Wars," and "Plutocrats United." His research and writing focus on issues like voter fraud, campaign finance reform, redistricting, and the role of the Supreme Court in election cases.
As the founder and editor of the Election Law Blog, Hasen provides analysis and commentary on developments in election law and administration. His expertise is frequently cited by major media outlets and he regularly contributes opinion pieces to publications like The New York Times and Slate.
Hasen's work has earned recognition including being named one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America by The National Law Journal. He received his J.D. from Yale Law School and holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from UCLA.
👀 Reviews
Readers view Hasen as a clear communicator who breaks down complex legal concepts about elections and voting rights for general audiences. His books receive praise for thorough research and balanced analysis of election issues.
What readers liked:
- Clear explanations of technical legal concepts
- Use of specific examples and case studies
- Nonpartisan approach to controversial topics
- Practical solutions offered for election problems
What readers disliked:
- Some find his writing style dry and academic
- Occasional repetition of points across chapters
- Some want more in-depth legal analysis
- A few readers note his personal views sometimes show through
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- Election Meltdown: 4.1/5 (219 ratings)
- The Voting Wars: 3.9/5 (178 ratings)
- Plutocrats United: 3.8/5 (156 ratings)
Amazon:
- Election Meltdown: 4.5/5 (89 reviews)
- The Voting Wars: 4.3/5 (42 reviews)
- Plutocrats United: 4.4/5 (37 reviews)
📚 Books by Richard L. Hasen
The Voting Wars: From Florida 2000 to the Next Election Meltdown (2012)
Examines how election administration problems and partisan polarization threaten the integrity of U.S. elections.
Plutocrats United: Campaign Money, the Supreme Court, and the Distortion of American Elections (2016) Analyzes the impact of campaign finance laws and Supreme Court decisions on American democracy.
Election Meltdown: Dirty Tricks, Distrust, and the Threat to American Democracy (2020) Identifies four major threats to American election systems: voter suppression, administrative incompetence, dirty tricks, and rhetoric undermining election legitimacy.
Cheap Speech: How Disinformation Poisons Our Politics—and How to Cure It (2022) Explores how social media and technology have transformed political communications and threatens democratic discourse.
The Supreme Court vs. American Democracy (2023) Examines the Supreme Court's role in election law decisions and their impact on democratic processes.
Race or Party? How Courts Decide Voting Rights Cases (2023) Analyzes judicial decision-making in voting rights cases focusing on the intersection of race and partisan politics.
Plutocrats United: Campaign Money, the Supreme Court, and the Distortion of American Elections (2016) Analyzes the impact of campaign finance laws and Supreme Court decisions on American democracy.
Election Meltdown: Dirty Tricks, Distrust, and the Threat to American Democracy (2020) Identifies four major threats to American election systems: voter suppression, administrative incompetence, dirty tricks, and rhetoric undermining election legitimacy.
Cheap Speech: How Disinformation Poisons Our Politics—and How to Cure It (2022) Explores how social media and technology have transformed political communications and threatens democratic discourse.
The Supreme Court vs. American Democracy (2023) Examines the Supreme Court's role in election law decisions and their impact on democratic processes.
Race or Party? How Courts Decide Voting Rights Cases (2023) Analyzes judicial decision-making in voting rights cases focusing on the intersection of race and partisan politics.
👥 Similar authors
Bruce E. Cain studies election law, democratic reform, and representation in American politics. His work examines many of the same voting rights and electoral system issues that Hasen covers, with a focus on institutional solutions.
Daniel P. Tokaji writes extensively about election administration, voting rights, and democratic institutions. His research addresses election law topics including voter ID requirements, redistricting, and campaign finance reform.
Heather K. Gerken focuses on election law, federalism, and constitutional theory. Her work analyzes democracy and dissent through the lens of state and local governance.
Samuel Issacharoff examines the law of democracy, including campaign finance regulation, voter protection, and political parties. His research covers many of the same concerns about electoral integrity and democratic institutions that appear in Hasen's work.
Pamela S. Karlan writes about voting rights, redistricting, and constitutional law. Her scholarship addresses questions of democracy and representation that intersect with Hasen's focus on election administration and reform.
Daniel P. Tokaji writes extensively about election administration, voting rights, and democratic institutions. His research addresses election law topics including voter ID requirements, redistricting, and campaign finance reform.
Heather K. Gerken focuses on election law, federalism, and constitutional theory. Her work analyzes democracy and dissent through the lens of state and local governance.
Samuel Issacharoff examines the law of democracy, including campaign finance regulation, voter protection, and political parties. His research covers many of the same concerns about electoral integrity and democratic institutions that appear in Hasen's work.
Pamela S. Karlan writes about voting rights, redistricting, and constitutional law. Her scholarship addresses questions of democracy and representation that intersect with Hasen's focus on election administration and reform.