This episode marks the start of the second season of Early Returns. We have been privileged to interview interesting guests and welcome a large and growing audience of listeners. We have discussed laws about foreign election interference, representation of the president during the Mueller investigation, the perspective of a journalist who covers legal affairs, biographies of notable politicians and jurists, the recent work of election lawyers, and more. Our very first guest was the chair of the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”), See more +

This episode marks the start of the second season of Early Returns. We have been privileged to interview interesting guests and welcome a large and growing audience of listeners. We have discussed laws about foreign election interference, representation of the president during the Mueller investigation, the perspective of a journalist who covers legal affairs, biographies of notable politicians and jurists, the recent work of election lawyers, and more. Our very first guest was the chair of the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”), Alan Dickerson, who assumed office in the midst of COVID.

To start our second season, Early Returns is delighted to have the newly elected chair of the FEC, Dara Lindenbaum. The FEC consists of six commissioners, three Democrats and three Republicans. Each year the commissioners elect among themselves a chair and a vice chair who serve in those posts for one year. It takes the vote of four commissioners to take any major official action. The new chair has experience representing clients before state election agencies that are odd numbered and susceptible to partisan investigations and manipulation. The FEC even-numbered composition promotes bipartisanship.

Dara joins Jan Baran, a partner at Holtzman Vogel, to talk about what is going on at the commission today and its agenda for the next election. More specifically, she speaks about relationships in the FEC, its budget, and audit procedures and potential audit targets. See less -