State’s System Among ‘Least Regulated,’ Authors Say
Washington and Lee law professor Maureen Edobor, along with coauthor John J. Martin of Quinnipiac Un ive r sit y School of Law, has published an article in the Un ive r sit y of Richmond Law Review.
The article, titled “Election law,” provides a general overview of the state of the law governing campaign finance, voter access and list maintenance, election systems and administration, and redistricting. The authors focus their inquiry on significant updates in the past two decades.
“Virginia’s campaign finance laws continue to reflect a system that is among the least regulated in the nation, allowing for unlimited contributions to candidates and political entities while maintaining certain federal and state disclosure requirements. Although the lack of comprehensive regulations and enforcement mechanisms has led to criticisms of the state’s campaign finance landscape, recent developments, such as the statutory authority for auditing campaign reports and the prohibition on personal use of campaign funds, signify steps toward enhancing the integrity of the system,” the authors write.
Professors Edobor and Martin conclude that election administration in Virginia has occurred with minimal controversy but argue that continued attention is necessary to maintain election integrity, including addressing discrimination and voter suppression.
“By reinforcing transparency in campaign finance, safeguarding voting rights, and ensuring efficient election administration, Virginia can strengthen public trust in its electoral system. Ultimately, the future of democracy in Virginia will rely not only on legislative reforms but also on the active participation of its citizens in holding their elected officials accountable and advocating for a fair electoral process that benefits all,” they write.
The full article is available online at the W&L Law Scholarly Commons.
Edobor joined the faculty in 2023. She teaches and writes in constitutional law, election law, and democratic theory, and serves as a Theodore DeLaney Center Fellow focusing on Southern race relations, politics, and culture. Her scholarship examines how constitutional and election law doctrines influence access to democratic participation and shape collective understandings of civic identity.
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