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Helping judges navigate election challenges

The Election Law Program provides nonpartisan resources to support state court judges in resolving election disputes. From timely guides to expert analysis, we offer practical tools grounded in law.

Person in suit casting vote into ballot box

The functioning of the U.S. electoral process increasingly comes down to resolving election law disputes in court. These election law cases are extraordinarily important to the democratic process, often concerning fundamental issues such as ballot access, accurate vote counts, and voter challenges. 

Created in 2005 as a joint venture of the National Center for State Courts and the William & Mary Law School, the Election Law Program seeks to provide practical assistance to state court judges called upon to resolve difficult election law disputes. Resources include an Election Law Manual, an Election Orders Database, streamable webinars, a resource library, and an online database of state election laws and regulations.

Election Law Manual: A resource for judges

Created to assist state court judges charged with resolving election disputes, the Election Law Manual provides an overview of the principles that govern election litigation in the United States. 

Advisory committee

We benefit from the expertise of a distinguished Advisory Committee made up of leading scholars, practitioners, and public servants in the fields of election law, judicial education, constitutional law, and public policy.