«This is a work of great lucidity and moral power. Fiss gives the best case we are likely to see for reading the Constitution as a charter of democracy. His arguments deserve close attention from jurists, scholars, and activists.»

Jedediah Purdy, Raphael Lemkin Professor of Law, Duke Law School

«Modern constitutional law has lost its way. It has forgotten that our Constitution, above all, intends to create a democracy, a system where the people truly rule. In this invaluable book, Owen Fiss eloquently reminds us of our Constitution's democratic character. Constitutional law is not-but must be-the law of democracy.»

Nicholas Stephanopoulos, Kirkland & Ellis Professor of Law, Harvard Law School

«At a moment when an authoritarian movement is existentially challenging democracy as a system of government, comes this fresh reminder that, at bottom, our Constitution is meant to protect democracy. And who better than Owen Fiss to urge us through a compelling review of the relevant history and case law that if we're not centering democracy in our Constitutional jurisprudence, we're doing it wrong. May a whole new generation of judges and scholars pick up this book and carry forward Fiss's wise and necessary charge.»

Ian Bassin, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Protect Democracy

«Both the book and the process it describes are a compelling tour de force. Essential.»

Choice

«Fiss has a genius for concise and clear constitutional arguments, and this book will be of great interest to any reader who fears that traditional American voting rights are currently at great risk.»

Stanley N. Katz, Lecturer with rank of Professor of Public and International Affairs, Princeton Univ

«Owen Fiss is the acknowledged master of purpose-driven constitutional interpretation. In this crucial book, he focuses on democracy itself, urging the courts to adopt a systemic approach to treating voting as the right at the core of our democratic Constitution. Why We Vote shows that Fiss's unique combination of moral vision and legal virtuosity is as essential, and as powerful, as ever.»

Noah Feldman, Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law, Harvard University