Catholic Law's Democratic Law Students Association (DLSA) recently hosted an engaging and timely discussion titled Securing the Vote: Law, Legacy, and the Future of Democracy with Professor Stephen Mortellaro. Guided by DLSA President Julia Miles (3L), the conversation explored Professor Mortellaro's career path and his impactful work prior to joining academia. The discussion delved into the evolution of voter rights legislation, the constitutional framework of the right to vote, and the pressing challenges and opportunities in the field of voting rights law. “The right to vote is preservative of all other rights,” Professor Mortellaro emphasized. “I hope this talk inspires students to pursue voting rights law internships, election protection efforts, and pro bono work to protect and expand the right to vote.” 

Before transitioning to teaching, Professor Mortellaro built an impressive career in voting rights law, working with organizations such as FairVote, Project Vote, and Voters Initiative. His efforts included enforcing the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, advocating for election reform, and managing national voter education initiatives. He also served on the Montgomery County Right to Vote Task Force and contributed to policy work with the Montgomery County Renters Alliance. With a background in educational and environmental lobbying in Florida and service on various nonprofit boards, Professor Mortellaro brings a wealth of experience to his scholarship, which focuses on voting rights, political law, and legal education.