Professor Hasen’s presentation was an especially salient way to commemorate Constitution Day, given that the conduct and financing of U.S. elections have been particularly controversial issues in recent years. Supreme Court decisions have reduced the reach of the Voting Rights Act and fundamentally altered the campaign finance landscape (e.g., Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission 2010). Professor Hasen has expertly evaluated all of these and many other cases and decisions, and he has provided a vital public service by disseminating the best collection of information on election law available through his Election Law Blog (http://electionlawblog.org/(opens in new window)).
Professor Hasen’s presentation continues the Political Science Department’s (and especially Professor Diana Dwyre’s) record of commemorating Constitution Day with high caliber presentations for the university and community. In the past five years, we have hosted our own constitutional scholars, Professor Gerald Berk of the University of Oregon, Jason Ross, a writer for the Daily Show, Calvin Jillson of Southern Methodist University, and, in 2014, world-renowned Thomas Jefferson scholars Annette Gordon-Reed and Peter Onuf.
Constitution Day is observed each year on September 17, the day on which the U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787. In May 2005, Congress mandated that all publicly funded educational institutions conduct a program informing students about the history and meaning of the United States Constitution. CSU, Chico, like all universities that receive public funding, is thus required to conduct such an educational program on the Constitution. The Political Science Department assumed responsibility for commemorating “Constitution Day” in 2010, and we look forward to future celebrations.
This presentation is archived at: http://rce.csuchico.edu/professional-development/connect-learn-engage/forums/political-science(opens in new window)