Recent events illustrate the legal issues that can arise in connection with elections in this country, many of which ultimately require resolution in the courts. These election law cases are extraordinarily important to the democratic process, as they often concern fundamental issues such as ballot access, accurate voter counts and voter challenges.

Created in 2005 as a joint venture of the National Center for State Courts and the Law School, the Election Law Program seeks to provide practical assistance to state court judges in the United States who are called upon to resolve difficult election law disputes. In its inaugural year, the Program will publish a benchbook that discusses and analyzes election law issues and the judicial relief available for election law violations. In addition, the Program will hold an annual conference examining election law issues and will establish an election law resource center, staffed by William & Mary law students, to offer judges research assistance.