Emory Law’s Center for Civil Rights and Social Justice (CCRSJ) — in partnership with The Carter Center — will offer a symposium, “Advancing the Rule of Law in U.S. Elections,” on September 14-15 on the Emory campus. Capitalizing on the existing relationship between Emory University and The Carter Center, this symposium will launch a partnership between the CCRSJ and The Carter Center that aims to increase support for civil rights and social justice in the legal community.

The symposium will hold a CLE-accredited discussion and dialogue on election law and voting rights with key members of the legal profession, Georgia community members, and other local leaders. The discussion and dialogue aims to raise awareness of past and current challenges in exercising the right to vote while facilitating a discussion on developing solutions for the future. The symposium will also introduce the CCRSJ’s and The Carter Center’s joint effort to prepare law students to contribute to the fight for civil rights and social justice.

The Advancing the Rule of Law in U.S. Elections (ARLUSE) Initiative is part of The Carter Center’s Rule of Law Program which seeks to expand the awareness and understanding of election law in the legal profession. The ARLUSE Initiative also aims to prepare law students to advocate for and work toward stronger democratic processes and voting rights. Likewise, voting rights is one of the five foci of the CCRSJ, and, together, the CCRSJ and the Center will train law students for placement as Election Law Fellows in Georgia voting rights organizations starting next spring.

Key Attendees: Fred Gray, attorney described by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. as “the chief counsel for the protest movement”; Gilda Daniels, Professor of Law from the University of Baltimore; and Jason Carter, Chair of The Carter Center’s Board of Trustees, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, and attorney.

“Voting is one of our most important rights, and we’ve created this symposium to develop practical approaches and training to those working to protect the right to vote and advance the rule of law in the U.S.,” says Darren Hutchinson, John Lewis Chair in Civil Rights and Social Justice, Faculty Director of the CCRSJ, and Emory Law Chief Diversity Officer.

Symposium Schedule

Sept. 14

• 12 p.m. - Luncheon with Emory Law students

• 3-5 p.m. - Mixer on Bacardi Plaza 

• 6-7:30 p.m. - Roundtable on voting rights and community concerns with Fred Gray, Jason Carter, and other distinguished guests

Sept. 15

• 10-11:30 a.m. - Introductions and Panel Discussion One: Historical Perspective on Voting Rights 

• 12-1:30 p.m. - Lunch (Keynote Speaker to be Announced)

• 1:45-3:15 p.m. - Panel Discussion Two: The Current State of Affairs for Voting Rights in Georgia and the United States 

• 3:30-5 p.m. - Panel Discussion Three: Visions for the Future

• 5:15 p.m. - Closing Reception

Register here.

Full list of special guests:

• Carol Anderson, Emory University

• Sharon Austin, University of Florida

• Jason Carter, Chair of The Carter Center’s Board of Trustees and Bondurant Mixson & Elmore

• Gilda Daniels, University of Baltimore

• Aderson Francois, Georgetown Law

• Luis Fuentes-Rohwer, Indiana University

• Fred Gray, Civil Rights Attorney

• Darren Hutchinson, Emory University

• Spencer Overton, Georgia Washington University School of Law

• Andrea Young, ACLU Georgia