Over the past decade, legal aspects of elections have become a focus of local and national press, lawyers and the courts, and public concern. Although vote by mail has introduced significant changes in how people may opt to exercise the franchise in Pennsylvania, the principles behind local government election law and administration have actually remained fairly stable. Despite this, recent challenges to all aspects of elections can undermine the public confidence our core democratic processes.

In this Seminar, Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija and Montgomery County Solicitor Benjamin Field will provide a primer on current issues in Election Law. Drawing on experiences as candidate, legislator, and election law practitioner, the seminar will look at three critical points in the process to outline the stable structure of election law. First, we will consider the legal structure around campaign finance and ballot access, the ways in which challenges are being brought, and the impact of those efforts. Second, we will look at the administration of the voting process from a local governmental perspective, with a focus on how the Election Code structures that work. And third, we will look at litigating the outcome of elections and the impact of such litigation on the system. In conclusion, we will share thoughts and takeaways on the crucial role lawyers play in ensuring that our democratic processes are safe, secure, inclusive and available to all.