James Alcorn Joins William & Mary Law School as Senior Director of the Election Law Program
James Alcorn has been appointed as Senior Director of William & Mary Law School’s Election Law Program (ELP). Alcorn brings more than a decade of experience in election law and election administration to this vital role.
“I am honored to join William & Mary Law School as the Senior Director,” Alcorn said. “The ELP’s mission to support judges in navigating the complexities of election law is more important than ever. I look forward to working with the talented students, faculty, and our partners to advance the understanding and application of election law, ensuring fair and transparent electoral processes across the nation. I would also like to recognize the outstanding contributions of Rebecca Green, whose dedication and vision has been instrumental in developing such a strong election law focus at William & Mary Law.”
Alcorn’s journey in election law began at the University of New Hampshire Law School. Following graduation in 2005, he served two governors of Virginia as the Deputy Secretary of Elections, demonstrating his commitment to fair and transparent electoral processes. His leadership was further recognized when he was appointed Chair of the Virginia Board of Elections, a position he held for four years. During his tenure, he became widely known for his role in resolving a tie election in 2017.
In addition to extensive experience in election law, Alcorn has developed significant expertise in health care law and responsible AI, particularly in the field of organ transplantation. He has presented at multiple national conferences, authored numerous articles, and overseen the development of next-generation organ allocation algorithms, contributing to advancements in this critical area of health care.
As Senior Director of the ELP, Alcorn will be responsible for developing resources for judges deciding election cases, supporting projects that enhance understanding of federal and state election laws, and sharing research findings through various educational programs. He will also oversee the implementation of ELP projects, identify trends in election litigation, and engage in collaborative projects with trusted partners.
Additionally, Alcorn will supervise student research, participate in fundraising efforts to support the ELP’s initiatives, and help train the next generation of election lawyers. In spring 2025, he will teach a first-of-its kind course on the law of election administration. This course will focus on election law from the perspective of advising election officials on their work—an “in house counsel” approach for departments of elections.
“We are excited to welcome Mr. Alcorn to our community and look forward to his contributions to the Election Law Program and the broader field of election law,” said Rebecca Green, Associate Professor of Law and Co-Director of the ELP.
About the Election Law Program
William & Mary Law School formed one of the nation’s first dedicated election law programs. In addition to courses for law students, the Law School also provides ways for students to engage election law topics through the Election Law Society, the William & Mary State of Elections Blog, and opportunities for students to contribute to the Election Law Program’s nonpartisan resources, and internship and externship opportunities through the Election Law Society’s large and growing network of alumni and friends.