COURSE DESCRIPTION 2012 2013

Mr. Timothy O. Wilkerson,

2 credits day; 2 credits evening.

The upcoming 2012 elections provide a remarkable backdrop to study the rapidly changing profession and scholarly research of election law. This course will be an overview of the practical administration of campaigns and elections and the constitutional and statutory principles governing election law. The class will conduct an in depth examination of municipal, state and federal election concepts including: how to run campaigns, the right to vote, campaign finance, redistricting, ballot access, voter identification requirements, challenges to voting right remedies and the role of political parties. Class readings and discussions will provide a survey of settled election principles and identify areas of recent change and potential reform. The required readings will be a combination of state and federal election case law and current event materials. A number of speakers including local and national practitioners and experts will add a practical element and immediacy to the class. The course will consider high profile cases from the last decade to highlight the judiciary‘s significant impact on American elections including: Bush v. Gore, Citizens United v. FEC, Coleman v. Franken and Black Political Task Force v. Galvin. A final examination will determine 75 percent of the course grade. The remaining 25 percent will consist of an in class group presentation. The course readings include a course packet and supplemental readings to incorporate current campaign and election events.

Elective Course

Final Exam Required

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