The paper provides an analysis of the electoral courts as specific regulatory agencies in the electoral process. A paper advances the definition of the electoral court. It is provided a historical overview of the emergence and spread of the institute of electoral courts in different countries of the world. Preconditions and causes of electoral courts are analyzed. Some signs of the formation of electoral courts can be seen in the history of Russia in 1905-1917. The article proposes a typology of electoral courts on several grounds. The problem of institutional mechanisms to ensure the independence of the electoral courts in the system of government is studied. The paper reviewed the cases of organization of electoral courts in Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and the UK. The conclusion is that the model of the state authority that combines the functions of conducting the elections and resolution of electoral disputes, is a past stage in the development of the state electoral policy. It is possible to predict the further development of special judicial bodies responsible for the resolution of electoral disputes.
