College of Law to Host Election Analysis Blog

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2014) — The University of Kentucky College of Law Election Law Society, a law student organization, and law election Professor Joshua A. Douglas announce the first of its kind at UK — an Election Analysis Blog.

Douglas, the Robert G. Lawson and William H. Fortune Associate Professor of Law, and students from the Election Law Society will provide live analysis on legal issues surrounding the election as results pour in across the Commonwealth and the nation. They will field questions from the general public and media and provide ongoing commentary on any legal issues that may arise. 

There have already been significant lawsuits in the past few weeks — about Kentucky’s 300-foot ban on electioneering around a polling site, allegations of false campaign advertising, voter ID laws, and more — that will impact Election Day.  The U.S. Senate race in Kentucky between Alison Lundergan Grimes and Mitch McConnell is one of the most expensive — and potentially one of the closest — in the country.  UK’s Election Analysis Blog will chronicle it all.

“I am excited to work on this initiative with UK Law students, who will have a worthwhile educational and practical experience while helping the general public understand how laws and court decisions impact our elections,” Douglas said. “Our goal will be to make election law accessible to voters so they can see how the law can affect Election Day processes.”

Chris Stewart, a second year law student, had this to say about the Election Analysis Blog: “The students of the UK Election Law Society are happy to embark on this new project. In conjunction with Professor Joshua Douglas, we look forward to providing a source of news concerning the ever-changing world of election law from around Kentucky and the nation. We hope to offer analysis of hot-button issues that is informative to legal and non-legal readers alike.”

The Election Analysis Blog  went live today, Tuesday, Nov. 4. Douglas and the students will conduct the blog together in the faculty lounge at the College of Law. This analysis will run through the evening while ballot results are tabulated and released. Visit the blog at www.uky.edu/electionlaw, call the hotline at 859-257-4935, or email election@lsv.uky.edu.

“This is another example of the College of Law’s efforts to enhance pro bono and practical experience for our students while also providing a service to the community,” said Danny Murphy, assistant dean for administration and community engagement.

The general public is welcome to submit election issues and topics for comment. Media may solicit comments or quotes from Douglas through this resource.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Blackford at ann.blackford@uky.edu