Broken Democracy: Election Challenges and Consequences During COVID-19

Zoom Webinar

In the second episode of our four-part U.S. Presidential Election Series, Professor Nicholas Stephanopoulos leads a discussion with Professor Richard Pildes, Professor Gowri Ramachandran, and Professor Enrijeta Shino regarding the challenges posed by and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the upcoming U.S. democratic election. Shino kicks off the dialogue with a look at her own research regarding mail-in voting, Pildes pushes back on the popular position: “don’t risk your health by voting in person – vote by mail,” and Ramachandran follows with best practices for absentee voting. Next, the experts speak on other topics concerning the U.S. Election including, the extent to which courts might decide critical electoral issues, how considering “war game” simulations can help experts address possible problems in the electoral process, and the processes of redistricting following the election. Finally, the experts field audience members’ questions regarding the potential for political interference and the extent to which the U.S. democracy is being tested by the upcoming election.
 

Speakers

Professor Richard Pildes
Sudler Family Professor of Constitutional Law
New York University

Professor Gowri Ramachandran
Professor of Law
Southwestern Law School

Professor Enrijeta Shino
Assistant Professor of Political Science
University of North Florida

Professor Nicholas Stephanopoulos
Professor of Law
Harvard University

Check out the schedule of the U.S. Presidential Election