iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 52m

It’s possible that “irreparable harm” doesn’t mean what it appears to mean, exhibit 21937.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 10h

249/ This album feels moodier than their earlier work. #ajax #dogsky

Two very good boys protecting two of the Infinity Stones.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The X post below is the White House's post (borrowing a Cato graph, but repeating its caption). Replace "Muslim" in the post with any other religion, and then try to explain that the point of the White House policy isn't animus against a religious group.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I will die on this hill: Litigation to extend voting hours isn't usually worth it. You have to know that lots of voters blocked early on: - couldn't make it back by regular closing, and - could make it back by the later time. That extra hour isn't usually worth the practical downside.

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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

NEW: The Supreme Court, over the objections of the 3 liberal justices, grants a stay in the D.V.D. litigation, authorizing the Trump admin to resume third country removals without any notice to people being sent to countries they've never been to. The Court also agrees to hear the case in December.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2026 CERTIORARI GRANTED 26-426 DEPT. OF HOMELAND SEC., ET AL. V. D.V.D., ET AL. (26A406) The application for stay presented to Justice Jackson and by her referred to the Court is granted. The February 25, 2026 order and judgment of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, case No. 1:25-cv-10676, are stayed. The application is also treated as a petition for a writ of certiorari, and the petition is granted. The parties are directed to brief and argue the following questions: (1) Whether the district court had jurisdiction over Respondents’ claims. (2) Whether the district court had authority to enter classwide declaratory relief and APA vacatur under 8 U. S. C. §1252(f)(1). (3) Whether the Government’s Guidance on third-country removals is unlawful under 8 U. S. C. §1231(b), the Due Process Clause, or FARRA/CAT and its implementing regulations. (4) Such other questions that the Government determines are appropriate for the proper disposition of the case. The Clerk is directed to establish a briefing schedule that will allow the case to be argued in the December 2026 argument session. The stay shall terminate upon the sending down of the judgment of this Court. Justice Sotomayor, Justice Kagan, and Justice Jackson would deny the application for stay.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

248/ I moved *ever so slightly* toward the door. #ajax #dogsky

Two very good boys paying more attention than usual.

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Mike Masnick @masnick.com · 29/09/2026

For years we've heard that Biden created a "Ministry of Truth," which didn't actually happen. But, I still hear people talking about it. But then Trump directed his FCC boss to be a literal Minister of Truth and the story disappeared within a day or two. What are we even doing here?

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

247/ No, I don't think you can call three T-Rexes "hoarding." Why? #ajax #dogsky

A very good boy with three other very good (but nonsentient) boys.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

246/ Strong tea, sure, but you really shouldn't believe a word. #ajax #dogsky

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

244/ Younger brother has the purple bone thing, yes, but only because that's the way Ajax _wanted_ it to happen. #ajax #dogsky

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

A bit later than expected: SCOTUS stays the renegade federal order on MO congressional districts. No dissents. (Because the 8th Cir. was _that_ far out of line.) The elections under way will continue using the 2022 congressional map. The hardest part of the next six weeks: ignoring the noise.

supremecourt.gov

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

243/ A couch in the kitchen allows the pup to supervise the making of dinner more closely. #ajax #dogsky

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Consistently, the people announcing widespread noncitizen voting either 1) don't know what they're doing or 2) are lying. (Sometimes both!) Either way, there's no reason to believe their claims. Garbage in, garbage out. _You don't have to listen to the garbage._

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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Incredible. First Secretary Mullin claimed that DHS had identified 15,903 noncitizens on Nevada’s voter roll. Then DHS officials told a skeptical Nevada, no no no, that’s just people we flagged. Here are the names of 185 people we KNOW aren’t citizens. All 185 were citizens. DHS got 100% wrong.

When the Department of Homeland Security sent Nevada a list of 185 names last month that it claimed identified noncitizens who had been improperly allowed to register to vote, state election officials got to work.
On Tuesday, the state sent a strongly worded rebuke to the federal government: Every single person on the list was a lawful citizen.
"As for the 185 individuals, our records indicate that they were citizens," Greg D. Ott, a deputy attorney general in Nevada, wrote, according to a copy of a letter sent to Department of Homeland Security officials obtained through open records requests.
"You have provided nothing of substance to suggest otherwise."

Following the meeting, Ms. Vogt sent a clarifying email to Nevada officials. "I also wanted to be sure I clarified that we did not reduce the 15,903 to 185," she wrote. "We've manually reviewed some of the 15,903 and confirmed 185 are not U.S. Citizens."
Now, Nevada officials are saying even that 185 number is wrong. They also took issue with a letter D.H.S. sent them in early September, in which the agency reiterated its initial claims about nearly 16,000 noncitizens on the rolls and pressured state officials to review each case in a letter to Nevada officials in early September.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Enormously important opinion out of CA this morning, saying that Sheriff Bianco's grab of Riverside ballots from the 2025 election was illegal. That's 100% right, and 100% expected, and also really important to say explicitly. www4.courts.ca.gov/opinions/doc... www4.courts.ca.gov/opinions/doc...

www4.courts.ca.gov

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I had the honor to join a glittering cast in this series. The main message: for this fall, all we have to do is tune out the noise. (That's a lot to ask, and also, really not that much to ask!)

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NYU Law Democracy Project @democracyproject.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

From @justinlevitt.bsky.social's "The Voters Are in the Driver’s Seat for the 2026 Elections"

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NYU Law Democracy Project @democracyproject.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

🚨Elections 2026: A new piece by @justinlevitt.bsky.social — "The Voters Are in the Driver’s Seat for the 2026 Elections" We're publishing daily essays on potential threats to the 2026 election process & mechanisms to manage them Read the full essay here: democracyproject.org/posts/the-vo...

democracyproject.org

The Voters Are in the Driver’s Seat for the 2026 Elections

A broad range of views on democracy to help break the stalemate caused by partisan conflict.

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Jacqueline Antonovich @jackiantonovich.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

We don't talk enough about the experience all historians have in front of the classroom where you say the thing you always say, have been saying for years, and all of a sudden, it takes on new meaning

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Jacqueline Antonovich @jackiantonovich.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Taught the Fugitive Slave Act for the first time in a few years. Man, my head was spinning as I uttered my familiar refrain about how the FSA radicalized Northerners who maybe never thought much about slavery until they saw people being snatched off the street right in front of them...

static.klipy.com

Euphoria Wait Is This Fucking Play About Us

Alt: Euphoria Wait Is This Fucking Play About Us

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

242/ Actually, it's more a comment than a question. #ajax #dogsky

A very good boy, upside down in full relax mode, raising one paw, on the sofa.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Looking forward to beating the "under"* on the amount of time it takes for SCOTUS to stay the latest order on the Missouri congressional maps (which hasn't yet been in effect, and won't ever go into effect). *No, I haven't actually placed a bet on the prediction markets.

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The Downballot @the-downballot.com · 23/09/2026

Last time this went up to SCOTUS on Sept. 9, Kavanaugh ordered responses by 10 AM on Sept. 10. SCOTUS stayed the lower court ruling before 10:30 AM.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

28 USC 2284 could not be clearer: "A single judge shall not . . . determine any application for a preliminary or permanent injunction." In addition to any of the reasons SCOTUS had the _last_ time they stayed this trial court, there's the (new) fact that the trial court has no jurisdiction here.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Seems as good a time as any to repeat the reminder that until Judge Clark issues a new injunction (which he doesn’t have jurisdiction to do, and which will take SCOTUS 30 minutes to stay), nothing changes for the congressional map in Missouri. The 8th Circuit can’t actually overturn SCOTUS.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Looks like the 8th Circuit just ordered expedited briefing on the Missouri map case. That’s a confusing order (and a giant waste of time), because based on the morning SCOTUS order, whatever they decide WON’T HAVE ANY EFFECT until after cert petitions are done, eons after the case becomes moot.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

240/ Staring a year's worth of acts to atone for, right in the face. #ajax #dogsky

A very good boy looking directly into the sun.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

239/ And a special medley with his friend Tayanna. #ajax #dogsky

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

238/ Romp time with a bestie named Rufus. Two majestic warriors. #ajax #dogsky

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

237/ It's possible he wants something. #ajax #dogsky

A very good boy peering up and over the edge of the couch...

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

236/ Would like to be drawn/painted like one of your French girls. #ajax #dogsky

A very good boy luxuriating on a very comfortable blanket.

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The Downballot @the-downballot.com · 17/09/2026

The USPS mail ballot saga took a lot of twists and turns over a very short timeframe, but @justinlevitt.bsky.social explains everything in careful detail on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast. Listen to learn why Trump's attempt to muck with mail voting completely collapsed -->

the-downballot.com

How the USPS’ mail ballot gambit got smacked down

Listen now (50 mins) | Justin Levitt tells us everything about Trump’s failed effort to muck with 2026

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Alex Burness @burness.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

A big update to an important case: Alaska is dropping charges against a family of American Samoans it had accused of voting crimes. It should not be forgotten that Alaska inflicted enormous hardship and trauma, for years, for a simple, understandable mistake that the state itself helped facilitate.

boltsmag.org

After a Yearslong Nightmare, Relief for American Samoans Punished for Voting - Bolts

Alaska officials for years accused American Samoans caught in a unique legal limbo of illegally voting, but finally dropped those charges this month.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I have endless respect for @atrupar.com combing for nonsense. And everyone speaking in this clip is only interested in “attack”, which means viewers only get stupider. But Kash _doesn’t_ say FBI agents will be deployed to polling places The agents he’s talking about don’t go to the polls.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Please don't just read the headline. Everything Julia relays here is about what the Administration will _SAY_. But that noise won't _actually_ interfere with the election, because it doesn't render any vote legally suspect. They're just marketing messages. Which is why she's prebunking them now.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Bonus unthreaded post today, in celebration of National Voter Registration Day. That's an "I voted" sticker on his head. Because he wants to make sure you: - check your voter registration (and update if necessary) - make a plan to vote Easy way to do both, nationwide: turbovote.org

A very good boy trying to figure out whether his sticker is sufficiently prominent.

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Waldo Jaquith @waldo.net · 15/09/2026

Please admire this slop-guide to the U.S. government that my kid received in his ninth grade government class. “Watergsstate Impreachment Imeachment bolity Precedent”

A sort of map of US government, with lots of arrows and words. It’s labelled “SIMPLIFIED CONCEPT MAP: U.S. GOVERNMENT.”

Close up of the diagram:

Example: Watergate Impeachment Key 2473 - Watergsstate Impreachment
Imeachment bolitiy Precedent
Legislative Checks
Executive
Veto
No
Executive Cheeks
Example:
Washington's 2-Ter-in Precedent
Example 3: Impeachment Precedent Key 2016 - Declares political inconinitional comnoladunt precedions hutsite avothov Uncostitutional: Bleachmens on the divisience of the Barizon Precedent

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

234/ When the second alarm goes off to make sure I make a flight that's waaaaaay too early. #ajax #dogsky

A very good boy making sure I know he's not actually awake yet.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

“The federal government” involves a few people who set rules and millions of career employees who want nothing more than to carry out their responsibilities as courts have now said they can. Letter carriers will deliver your mail. It’s literally what they signed up to do.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I get why the reporting right now is generally saying SCOTUS blocked the USPS rule. That’s trial court erasure. What SCOTUS did today is good. But also, it just refused to affirmatively step in to create chaos, _undoing_ what the trial courts did. And there should be a lot more of that.

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Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

It’s notable that the majority says BOTH that Trump’s USPS rule is likely illegal AND the equities counsel against implementing it. Seven justices are sending a pretty clear message to Trump that this kind of sloppy election subversion is a bridge too far. That’s moderately encouraging?

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Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

My read is that there aren’t five votes to let Trump literally rig elections. Roberts and Barrett won’t greenlight overt election subversion or chaotic, illegal interference with voting. Kavanaugh and Gorsuch aren’t reliable but don’t love the chaos either. Thomas and Alito want to end democracy.

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Justin Levitt @justinlevitt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This seems basically right (though releasing the mandate on Callais literally in the middle of an election earns an asterisk).

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