JCL Online Manuscript Submission Portal


The University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law welcomes submissions to JCL Online.  To expedite the editorial process and to facilitate uniformity of presentation, authors should prepare their submissions in accordance with the conventions outlined below.
  • Length.  Although there is no strict criteria for publication in JCL Online, submissions should have no less than 3,000 words and no more than 8,000 words, inclusive of footnotes.
  • Manuscripts.  The language of publication is English.  Authors are requested to provide double-spaced, completed manuscripts with one-inch margins.  Text should appear on one side of the paper and all pages should be numbered consecutively.  All unpublished manuscripts are the property of the Journal and will not be returned to the author.
  • References and Footnotes.  Complete bibliographical information, including dates, should be provided for all works referred to in the text.  Footnotes should, as much as possible, be limited to citation material.  If possible, footnotes with internal citations should be cross-referenced.  Citations must conform to The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (21st ed. 2020).  Because all citations must be verifiable by the editors, all sources must be readily available in the United States or must be sent by the author upon acceptance of the manuscript for publication.
  • Tables and Graphics.  Tables, diagrams, drawings, graphs, and other illustrations should be in electronic form.  If an electronic form is not available, they should be reproducible originals presented on separate sheets in a large size.  In the manuscript text, authors should refer to tables and graphics by number.
  • Electronic Final Copy.  If an offer of publication is extended, the author will be requested to submit the article in its most current form by in Microsoft Word format.

We are committed to prompt editorial decisions. If an article is selected for publication, our staff editors will review the piece against the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law’s standards and style conventions. By submitting to JCL Online, you agree that:

  • You have not published the essay elsewhere, the essay is not under review elsewhere, and you will not submit the essay for submission to another journal pending our review and editing. 
  • We may work collaboratively with you to edit your work against JCL standards and style conventions.
  • You grant the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law, JCL Online, and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School permission to public your submission online.
Manuscript Upload (.docx)