University of Houston Law Center
Understanding the constitutional and legal framework behind elections in the United States.
Start ExploringElections are part of a larger constitutional system involving federal and state governments, legislatures, courts, political institutions and individual rights. Election law examines the rules and constitutional principles that shape that system.
This University of Houston Law Center educational resource brings together constitutional references, UH Law educational materials and Houston Public Media recordings from multiple contributors. The faculty expert featured below is one of the Law Center’s scholars working in this field.
Election law is the body of constitutional provisions, statutes, regulations and court decisions that helps define the structure of democratic government and the electoral process in the United States.
It intersects with constitutional law, voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance, political parties, representation and the respective powers of federal and state governments.
These educational resources bring together constitutional materials, University of Houston Law Center videos and Houston Public Media recordings. Individual recordings and articles may feature different contributors; the faculty profile below highlights one UH Law expert in election law.
Election law is often described as the law governing democratic processes. Several areas of constitutional and statutory law can affect how representative government operates.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a federal law that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Its provisions and enforcement have been shaped by legislation and Supreme Court decisions.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript on Houston Public Media
Redistricting redraws electoral district boundaries, usually following the census. Federal constitutional and statutory requirements govern aspects of the process.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript on Houston Public Media
Voting by mail is a method of casting a ballot without appearing at a polling place. Eligibility, procedures and deadlines vary by state and election.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript on Houston Public Media
Election certification is the formal process through which authorized officials confirm election results under applicable law. It is distinct from unofficial election-night reporting.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are elected from congressional districts for two-year terms. House seats are apportioned among states based on population.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript on Houston Public Media
Article I, Section 4 gives state legislatures authority to prescribe the times, places and manner of congressional elections, subject to Congress’s authority to make or alter those regulations.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript on Houston Public Media
The Constitution and its amendments establish important parts of the legal framework surrounding representative government, presidential service and voting rights.
Explore nine constitutional amendments with particular connections to presidential elections, presidential succession and voting rights.
Establishes Separate Electoral Votes for President and Vice President
Extended Citizenship and Voting Eligibility
Expands Voting Rights
Gives Voters the Power to Elect U.S. Senators Directly
Listen to the episode or read the transcript on Houston Public Media
Women’s Right to Vote
Start and End Dates for Presidential and Congressional Terms
Two Term Limit on U.S. Presidency
Gives Washington, DC Residents the Right to Vote in Presidential Elections
Lowering the Voting Age to 18
David Froomkin
Assistant Professor of Law
Meet a UH Law Faculty Expert
Assistant Professor of Law
David Froomkin is an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center and an affiliated faculty member in the University of Houston Department of Political Science.
His research examines the design of democratic institutions and the structure of government and the electoral process. His scholarly interests include election law, constitutional law, administrative law and constitutional design.
Froomkin teaches courses addressing election law and constitutional design and frequently provides commentary on current constitutional and election-law issues.
Professor David Froomkin shares his expertise on election law and constitutional issues with national news outlets. Explore recent reporting featuring his legal analysis and commentary.
The New York Times
Includes commentary from Professor Froomkin in reporting on election results and allegations of fraud.
Newsweek
Features Professor Froomkin in reporting on election administration and voting eligibility.
Yahoo News
Includes Professor Froomkin’s perspective in coverage of federal voter fraud enforcement.
Understanding a few foundational concepts can make discussions about election law and democratic institutions easier to follow.
Election law is the body of constitutional provisions, statutes, regulations and court decisions that shape democratic institutions and electoral processes.
The Constitution establishes the structure of the federal government and contains provisions and amendments addressing representation, presidential service, governmental authority and voting rights.
The 22nd Amendment establishes constitutional limits on how many times a person may be elected President.
The 25th Amendment addresses presidential succession, vacancies in the vice presidency and presidential inability.
The 26th Amendment prohibits the United States or a state from denying or abridging the voting rights of United States citizens age 18 or older on account of age.
David Froomkin is an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center whose research and teaching include election law, constitutional law, democratic institutions and constitutional design.
For primary constitutional materials and historical analysis, visit the Constitution Annotated from Congress.gov .
For UH Law Center educational videos about the Constitution, visit the UH Law Center U.S. Constitution series .
