Election Stress Test: Can America's Electoral System Weather 2024?

In this episode, election law expert Nate Persily shares why new election laws, novice election administrators, and voter confusion could make for a turbulent 2024 election with hosts Pam Karlan and Rich Ford. --- As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Nate Persily forecasts complications along with it. Persily, a Stanford law professor and a leading expert in election law and administration, says the coming election cycle could pose unprecedented challenges for voters and election officials alike. “We are at a stage right now where there's a lot of anxiety about election administration,” he says. “There's a significant share of the population that's completely lost confidence in our system of elections.” With nearly every state having altered its election laws since 2020 and a significant turnover in election administrators, Persily says the stage is set for a potentially bumpy ride this November. As voter confusion and AI-powered disinformation loom overhead, Persily says the integrity of our democracy may well depend on our collective ability to weather this less-than-perfect storm. Connect: Episode Transcripts >>> Stanford Legal Podcast Website Stanford Legal Podcast >>> LinkedIn Page Rich Ford >>>  Twitter/X Pam Karlan >>> Stanford Law School Page Stanford Law School >>> Twitter/X Stanford  Law Magazine >>> Twitter/X Links: Nate Persily >>> Stanford Law School Page (00:00) Chapter 1: Introduction and Challenges Ahead for the November Election  Nate Persily outlines the primary concerns for the upcoming election, including voter confusion, changes in election laws, and the pressures faced by election officials. (00:03:27) Chapter 2: Decentralization and Election Administration  The panel discusses the challenges of managing a national election run by numerous local jurisdictions, including issues with certification and varying local procedures. (00:05:44)  Chapter 3: The Evolving Election Timeline  Persily, Karlan, and Ford explore how election day has expanded into an extended voting period, covering early and mail-in voting, and the implications for counting and certification. (00:17:41) Chapter 4: Technology, Disinformation, and Media Influence  Examines the impact of technology and disinformation, including deep fakes and misinformation about voting procedures, and their effects on public trust. (00:23:37) Chapter 5: Building Confidence in the Electoral Process  Persily discusses strategies to bolster confidence in the election process, emphasizing support for election officials and the role of local leaders in maintaining trust. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.