How Much Do You Really Know About How U.S. Elections Work? | S2 E9

We the Voters: Lori Ringhand on the Constitutional Choices We MakeOur system is defined by the choices and compromises made throughout our history, from the halls of the 1787 Constitutional Convention to the modern day struggle for voting rights. Why do we have a Senate? Why is the Electoral College so “weird”? And why are the simple “nuts and bolts” of election administration often the most misunderstood? In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome back our first-ever repeat guest: Lori Ringhand, the J. Alton Hosch Professor of Law at the University of Georgia. She joins the hosts of Law & Democracy to discuss her new book, We the Voters: The Constitutional Choices That Shape America’s Elections. Professor Ringhand takes us on a journey through the evolution of American democracy. We explore how the Declaration of Independence set the stage for representative government, how the Reconstruction amendments expanded the electorate, and how historical tensions between federal and state power continue to fuel contemporary election disputes. Whether you’re an election law expert or a curious voter, this conversation offers a clear, non-partisan look at the rules that define our democracy and the consequences of the choices we’ve made. Learn more about “We the Voters”: https://www.sup.org/books/law/we-voters Guest: • Lori A. Ringhand, J. Alton Hosch Professor of Law & Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Georgia School of Law. She is a nationally known Supreme Court scholar and the author of We the Voters: The Constitutional Choices That Shape America’s Elections. Hosts: • Anthony Gaughan, Professor of Law and Kern Family Chair in Law at Drake University Law School; Senior Fellow, Election Law at Ohio State. • Steve Huefner, C. William O’Neill Professor in Law and Judicial Administration; Director, Legislation Clinic; Deputy Director, Election Law at Ohio State; Director, D.C. Summer Program.• Anne Ralph, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives; Morgan E. Shipman Professor in Law; Senior Fellow, Election Law at Ohio State.If you enjoy this episode, please give us a boost by liking it, subscribing, and sharing it with your friends. Have questions, thoughts, or comments on the episode? Drop a comment below or email us at [email protected]. Recorded on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.