Democracies require ground rules to function, and in recent years, we have seen increasing constitutional attention to the terms of political competition. Constitutions now routinely include details about the electoral system and candidate selection processes, provide for regulation of political parties, and spell out the conditions and manner of voting. The consequences of this phenomenon are not well understood, and assume particular importance during our current period of prolonged democratic backsliding. This conference brings together leading political scientists and legal scholars, to consider this growing body of constitutional law and practice.

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This convening is open to all invitees who are compliant with UChicago vaccination requirements and, because of ongoing health risks, particularly to the unvaccinated, participants are expected to adopt the risk mitigation measures (masking and social distancing, etc.) appropriate to their vaccination status as advised by public health officials or to their individual vulnerabilities as advised by a medical professional. Public convening may not be safe for all and carries a risk for contracting COVID-19, particularly for those unvaccinated. Participants will not know the vaccination status of others and should follow appropriate risk mitigation measures.