Seminar - 2 hours. This course investigates the constitutional and statutory frameworks that channel and regulate the efforts of individuals, corporate and nonprofit entities, and political groups to convey their ideas to the electorate, to mobilize voter turnout, and to get their preferred candidates on the ballot and elected to office. We will examine the legal status of contributions and expenditures of money and other goods—whether directly to candidates, or through intermediary political groups—and the line between political influence and political corruption. We will also consider political groups’ claims to autonomy with respect to their “internal” affairs, to autonomy in the selection of nominees for elective office, and to a place on the ballot for their nominees.
Prerequisites: None. (This course may be taken before or after “Election Law: Voting Rights.”)
Graduation Requirements: May satisfy Advanced Writing Requirement with instructor's permission.
Final Assessment: Summative memo, reading response papers, and class participation.