Law of Democracy

Catalog description

This course will examine American election law. The central focus of the course is the complex interaction between democratic politics and the formal institutions of the state. We will pay particular attention to the relationship among the courts, legislatures, executive officials, and voters in overseeing democratic processes. Topics include the sources of state and federal power to regulate the electoral system, distribution of the franchise and the right to vote, apportionment and representation, the federal Voting Rights Act, the regulation of candidacy, the party system, election administration, and campaign finance.