Course Information

752 - Election Law

Professor: Daniel P. Tokaji
Credits: 3
Semester: 2010 Winter

Second Writing Requirement? No
Seminar? No
Professional Responsibility? No
Prerequisites: 510 Constitutional Law
Means of Assessment: Paper or Take-Home Exam

Course Description

The Supreme Court has long declared that the right to vote is fundamental, because it is preservative of all other rights. Yet for most of this country's history, the voting rights of many Americans have been denied or diluted. This course will examine the right to vote, in theory and practice, focusing especially on its relationship to racial and economic justice. It will consider what has been done - and what can still be done - to move us closer to the ideal of political equality, as well as the proper role of courts with respect to democracy. The subjects covered will include the history of the right to vote, the "one person, one vote" principle, minority vote dilution, partisan gerrymandering, voting technology, voter identification, voter registration, and the rights of third-party and independent candidates. Students will have the option of writing a paper or taking a take-home final examination.

The course materials listed above are for informational purposes only and should not be considered final. Students must check with the Registrar for a current list of closed courses.