W&M Law Student to Cast Vote as Presidential Elector
Christia V. Rey, a second-year law student at William & Mary, will represent the First Congressional District in Virginia as a presidential elector, when the state's 13 electors meet to cast their votes for President and Vice President in Richmond on December 15. The electoral votes of each state will be submitted to the Vice President and counted in a joint session of the United States Senate and House of Representatives on January 9.
"It is an honor to serve as a presidential elector," said Rey. "This is an historic election for the country and for the First Congressional District of Virginia." Rey and his fellow electors are profiled on www.virginiaelectoralcollege.org/electors/index.html.
Rey is the first African American to represent the First Congressional District in Virginia as a presidential elector. He was elected to the post during the Democratic First Congressional District convention. Rey was a volunteer in the Democratic Party's coordinated office in Newport News during the presidential race, and previously volunteered as an undergraduate at East Carolina University for John Edwards's senatorial race in 1998.
Rey is a member of the William & Mary Election Law Society and serves as the National Director of Corporate Relations of the National Black Law Students Association. He previously served as a United States Army Captain and saw combat tours to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. His last assignment before attending law school was Commander of the Third Special Forces Signal Detachment, Fort Bragg. During these combat tours, Rey received a Bronze Star and other military accolades.
Interim Law School Dean Lynda Butler said she was delighted to learn that Rey was selected to represent the First Congressional District in the Electoral College. "I have taught here for nearly three decades, and this is the first time that I can recall that a law student will serve as a presidential elector. It's a singular achievement for Chris, made all the more meaningful by the historic nature of this election. What a fitting honor for Chris and for the Law School."
"Chris Rey stands in the great tradition of citizen lawyers from William & Mary," said William & Mary President Taylor Reveley. "This tradition dates back to George Wythe, who began legal training at William & Mary in 1779. Wythe - a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a member of the Constitutional Convention, and a powerful foe of slavery - was a leading force in our nation's creation and early political life. His example has inspired generations of William & Mary law students. George Wythe would be very proud of Chris."
Media Contact: Suzanne Seurattan, W&M Office of University Relations, scseur@wm.edu, (757)221-1631.