American and Quebec Electoral Systems (11/1/24)

American and Quebec Electoral Systems: Comparative Analysis and Legal Implications of the 2024 Elections

Join The Chicago Bar Association and the Bar of Montreal for an in-depth analysis of the November 2024 U.S. elections, focusing on the legal aspects governing the electoral process in the United States. This program aims to equip both Montreal and Chicago lawyers with the necessary knowledge to understand the differences and similarities between the American and Quebec electoral systems, as well as the crucial role lawyers play in ensuring election integrity. Topics covered will include electoral legislation, election administration, election monitoring, and the management of electoral disputes, with insights into improvements and shortcomings in the U.S. system over the past 25 years. 

Additionally, the program will highlight the role of lawyers in shaping public policy and defending civil and democratic rights. Comparisons will be made between the fundamental values of the Quebec system, such as equality, justice, and respect for diversity, and how these values are reflected or differ in the American context, particularly regarding voting rights and citizen participation.  

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with hypothetical scenarios to discuss legal issues related to the elections, fostering a rich exchange of perspectives and experiences. This interaction will help both Montreal and Chicago lawyers enhance their professional skills in line with the continuing education requirements of the Barreau du Québec and the Illinois Supreme Court. Ultimately, this training promotes cross-border collaboration among legal professionals.

This program will be hosted on the Bar of Montreal’s Zoom account. The Zoom link will be sent from the Bar of Montreal to registrants in advance of the program.

Speakers:
William J. Kresse, Commissioner, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, President, Institute of Election Auditors, Associate Professor, Governors State University
Attorney Olivier Cournoyer-Boutin, Élections Québec

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live.