Catholic Law's Student Scholars Series presented its first installment on January 27 with a presentation by Abby DiOrio (3L). Her scholarship, entitled "The Analytical Compass: A Study of State Voter Identification Requirements and Combatting Election Fraud," examined laws governing photo-ID mandates and the presence of additional statutes encumbering access to the ballot box. Troy McCurry, Esq., Director of Government Relations Compliance at The Pew Charitable Trusts, provided the response to DiOrio's presentation.

In her abstract, DiOrio analyzes states in the 5th and 9th Circuit and their efforts to prevent voter fraud. The Note emphasizes the exponential gravity of voter laws as elections become increasingly polarized, narrow, and controversial. With this magnitude in mind, “The Analytical Compass,” synthesizes key traits: (1) photo identification stringency, (2) additional voting obstacles, and (3) election-related convictions. The Analytical Compass reflects a linear regression, modeling a strong relation between stringent ID requirements and presence of other regulatory obstacles. However, it also depicts a consistent ratio of election fraud convictions, despite the varying severity of each state law. This suggests that harsher voting laws are not necessarily more successful in preventing voter fraud.

The Columbus School of Law Student Scholars Series was instituted in 2009 to recognize notable legal scholarship produced by members of the student body during the academic year and to foster the skills associated with presenting and defending that scholarship in a professional conference-style setting.

Below is a recording of the January 27 program.