Bradley A. Smith is the Josiah H. Blackmore II/Shirley M. Nault Professor of Law at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He has held prior visiting appointments at Princeton University and West Virginia University.
Professor Smith is the author or co-author of three books on election law and voting rights, and his articles have appeared both in academic publications including the Yale Law Journal, Georgetown Law Journal, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, George Washington University Law Review, the Harvard Business Law Journal, the Stanford Law & Policy Review, and many others, and in popular publications including the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New York Times, the Atlantic, National Review, and elsewhere. He was recognized in 2016 as one of the nation’s top 10 scholars in the field of election law based on scholarly impact.
From June 2000 until August 2005, Professor Smith served as Commissioner of the Federal Election Commission, including as Vice Chairman in 2003 and Chairman in 2004.
Professor Smith is also the founder and Chairman of the Institute for Free Speech, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting and defending American citizens’ First Amendment political speech rights.
He is a cum laude graduate of both Kalamazoo College and Harvard Law School.
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A Farewell Lecture & Reception
Capital Student Chapter
Capital University Law School, Rooms A121 & A122303 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Citizens Divided: Is it Time to Amend the Constitution?
Temple Student Chapter
Temple University Beasley School of Law1719 N Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Is There Integrity in Voting
Ohio Northern Student Chapter
Ohio Northern university525 south Main St. Ada Ohio
Ada, OH 45810
34 Felonies: Why Republicans, Democrats, and Independents Should be Concerned About New York's Prosecution of Donald J. Trump
Toledo Student Chapter
Toledo College of Law1825 W Rocket Dr
Toledo, OH 43606
Crisis and Distrust: Electoral Legitimacy and Proposals for Reform
Ohio State Student Chapter
Drinko Hall, Room 24455 W 12th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
Fair Elections in an Era of Partisanship
2023 National Lawyers Convention
Recent years have seen unprecedented controversies about election rules, including mail-in ballots and drop boxes,...
Fair Elections in an Era of Partisanship
2023 National Lawyers Convention
Recent years have seen unprecedented controversies about election rules, including mail-in ballots and drop boxes,...
Buckley v. Valeo: Jim Buckley’s Finest Hour
Like so many, I was saddened to learn of the August 18 passing of James...
Panel III: Unique Aspects of American Democracy: Structural Bugs or Features?
2023 National Student Symposium
Many aspects of the United States governing structure have been criticized as inconsistent with democracy...
Panel III: Unique Aspects of American Democracy: Structural Bugs or Features?
2023 National Student Symposium
Many aspects of the United States governing structure have been criticized as inconsistent with democracy...