Dankman v. District of Columbia Board of Elections & Ethics

I

The lead opinion (i.e., the opinion authored by Judge Harris) is significant for what it does not say. Conspicuous by its absence is a discussion of the basic finding by the Board of Elections and Ethics that “the evidence before us indicates such a manipulation of the initiative process in direct violation of statutory direction, that ... the [challenged] signatures ... must be rejected in order to preserve the integrity of the petition process ... [and ensure] that the statutory mandate be followed.” Board of Elections and Ethics Order at 14-15 (emphasis supplied). Conspicuous also by its…