From L to R: Natalie Schmidt, Brian Svoboda, and Thomas Hicks

On the second night after the election, while officials across the country were still counting millions of ballots that would determine U.S. House control and other major races, Catholic Law alumnus Thomas Hicks '99, a member of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, shared his insights on the process in the Walter A. Slowinski Courtroom.

The event was part of the Law & Public Policy Program’s regular lecture series and was co-sponsored with the Black Law Students Association.

The U.S. Senate in 2014 confirmed Hicks to the EAC, which is the independent, bipartisan commission that supports local jurisdictions and works with other federal agencies to promote safe, reliable election administration. Hicks spoke about how the EAC develops voluntary standards for voting technology and promotes accessibility and reliability in the election process.

Before joining the EAC, Hicks served as senior elections counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration. He spoke about recounts and contests in which he had been involved, and about legislative responses to the 2000 Florida presidential election recount that still shape election processes. Hicks talked also about the designation of elections as critical infrastructure.

The commissioner shared some insights about his own professional journey from the Law School’s four-year program to government service. He talked about the pride with which his father, who seldom traveled by plane, flew to Washington and witnessed his Senate confirmation hearing.

After Hicks took questions from the audience, Professor Natalie Schmidt, who teaches election law, gave closing remarks, in which she emphasized the relationship between effective election administration and voting rights.

Those interested in the LPP certificate program and future events may contact the director, Brian Svoboda, at svobodab@cua.edu.