Tony Smith

Professor of Political Science and Law UC Irvine

  • Irvine CA

Tony Smith’s knowledge of politics includes Constitutional Law, the U.S. Supreme Court and election law.

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UC Irvine

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Spotlight

2 min

Covering the new Trump Administration - We can Help

With each day seems to come an new appointee to cabinet or significant role, a new policy twist and even the occasional walk back or withdrawal. The steps leading up to January 20, 2025 when Donald Trump resumes office as President of the United States will be getting a lot of coverage and UC Irvine has it's own team of experts ready to lend their experience, perspective and expert opinion on what is happening. Louis DeSipio examines how democratic nations incorporate new members, including policymaking in the areas of immigration. Topics of Expertise: Foreign Affairs / NATO Immigration and Deportation Department of Education, EPA, Homeland Security, Department of Interior, NOAA, HHS and FDA Jeffrey Wasserstrom specializes in modern Chinese cultural history & world history, who has written on many contemporary as well as historical issues. Topics of Expertise: Foreign Affairs / NATO Free Speech Department of Education, EPA, Homeland Security, Department of Interior, NOAA, HHS and FDA Eric Swanson is an expert on inflation, recessions and what changes in interest rates mean for the economy. Topics of Expertise: Foreign Affairs / NATO Tariffs Impact of Downsized Government Senior's Health and Social Security Heidi Hardt is an expert on NATO, defense, security, foreign policy, organizations, the EU, UN, operations, gender, climate and change. Topics of Expertise: Foreign Affairs / NATO Climate Change Gender and LGBTQ+ Rights Tony Smith’s knowledge of politics includes Constitutional Law, the U.S. Supreme Court and election law. Topics of Expertise: Free Speech Department of Education, EPA, Homeland Security, Department of Interior, NOAA, HHS and FDA Jon Gould is a distinguished scholar in justice policy, social change and government reform. Topics of Expertise: Deregulation Gender and LGBTQ+ Rights All of these experts are available to speak with media simply click on a profile now to arrange an interview time today.

Tony SmithLouis DeSipioEric SwansonHeidi HardtJon Gould

1 min

Covering Tuesday's Debate? Our Experts are Here to Help

The rules are set, the date is locked in and the political world will be watching as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris face off for the first time at the presidential debate taking place in Philadelphia on Tuesday. It's expected millions will tune in, but if you're a reporter covering the lead up to this much hyped event then let our experts help with your coverage. Tony Smith’s knowledge of politics covers a large spectrum that includes Constitutional Law, the intricate workings and rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court, election law, and the contest over rights in both a domestic and global context. Louis DeSipio examines how democratic nations incorporate new members, including policymaking in the areas of immigration and voting rights. He also studies Latino political behavior. Louis DeSipio and Tony Smith can help with various angles of any political story you're assigned. Both experts are available to speak with media simply click on either expert's icon now to arrange an interview today.

Tony SmithLouis DeSipio

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Biography

Tony Smith’s knowledge of politics covers a large spectrum that includes Constitutional Law, the intricate workings and rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court, election law, and the contest over rights in both a domestic and global context.

Areas of Expertise

Political Science
International Law
Legal Institutions
US Politics
Comparative Law

Education

University of California, San Diego

PhD

Political Science

2004

University of Florida

JD

Law

1987

Affiliations

  • APSA
  • MPSA
  • LSA
  • ISA
  • IPSA
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Media Appearances

Your Voice Your Vote 2024

KABC Eyewitness News  tv

2024-11-08

As we get more election results into the Eyewitness newsroom, we want to get analysis of what we are actually seeing as well. So, joining us is Tony Smith, professor of political science and law at UC Irvine. … “I think things are going exactly like most people thought they were going to. It’s a very close race. … We have a long night ahead of us still,” says Smith

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President Biden drops out of presidential race

KABC  online

2024-07-21

Well, this historic moment could face some challenges in court. To help us understand what this means for Democrats and the future nominee, here’s Professor of Political Science and Law, Tony Smith from UC Irvine. “Well, here’s the thing: Biden is not yet the official nominee. … The Speaker of the House is trying to add to the chaos by saying something he knows isn’t true, and that is that ‘The ballots can’t be changed now.’ The ballots haven’t been printed yet – there is no Democratic nominee for the presidency yet because the convention has not yet anointed one – or voted for one. So, this is a bunch of nonsense,” says Smith.

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Did President Biden do enough to silence his doubters with tonight's NATO news conference? KNX News breaks down the POTUS performance

KNX News 97.1FM  radio

2024-07-11

With so many doubts about his mental and physical fitness, President Biden's every word will be heavily scrutinized ... his every move analyzed. The future of his reelection campaign could take off ... or crash land ... depending on the president's performance right now. So how did he do? … Tony Smith is a professor of political science and law at UC Irvine; he's also Editor-in-Chief of Political Research Quarterly. … “If Biden has assuaged enough people to not to, to believe that he could still beat Trump, then the rebellion ends. If Nancy Pelosi decided yesterday or today after the news conference, he just doesn't have what it takes, then the rebellion is going to flare up. “

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Research Grants

When Do States Domesticate International Law

National Science Foundation

SES-1423578

Articles

Immigration and public opinion: Will backlash impede immigrants’ policy progress?

Social Science Quarterly

2021

We investigate the question: How should immigrants pursue policy in a system that privileges majority rule? Scholars suggest that opinion backlash impedes policy gains by marginalized groups. That is, pushing too hard for policy leads to backlash, a sharp and sustained negative reaction among citizens that delays these groups’ ability to obtain their desired policy.

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Common Forms of Gerrymandering in the United States

Decyzje

2019

Gerrymandering is a form of voting manipulation whereby electoral district boundaries are drawn to produce a partisan or political bias in elections. In this paper, we study partisan gerrymandering in the United States to understand its undemocratic outcomes and how the design of election institutions can promote or prevent gerrymandering.

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Gill v. Whitford on Partisan Gerrymandering

SCOTUS 2018

2019

Challenges to gerrymandering by state legislatures raise questions of whether the Constitution mandates equal representation of all voters, or whether partisan sorting into geographic enclaves is a reality the Constitution does not prohibit, even when it results in unequal representation.

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