Beyond the Ballot

In this final episode of Beyond the Ballot we take a look at the demographic shifts shaping the 2024 U.S. elections, with a focus on Georgia's evolving political landscape. Our special guest, Dr. Joshua Meddaugh, Chair of the Social Sciences Department at Clayton State University and President of the Georgia Political Science Association, breaks down how Georgia has transformed from a blue to a red state to a swing state in the last 50 years. He explores the impact of race, religion, and identity on these shifts and why suburban voters are crucial in this election. Plus, we look at how demographic trends nationwide are reshaping political norms and the rise of purple states across the country.

In the seventh episode of Beyond the Ballot we discuss the issue of voter suppression with  David Becker, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research. Becker sheds light on contemporary instances of current voter suppression as well as examples of voting rights expansion in the last fifty years, and asks if the 1965 Voting Rights Act needs an update.

The sixth episode of Beyond the Ballot discusses election security. Our guest, Justin Levitt, Professor of Law at Loyola Marymount University and former White House Senior Policy Adviser for Democracy and Voting Rights, discusses common election security myths, the role of technology and disinformation, on voter trust, and how the U.S. 2024 election is shaping up to be the most secure yet.

In this episode of "Beyond the Ballot" we focus on youth voters. Our first guest, Abby Kiesa, Deputy Director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University shares insights into the political engagement of young people. We are then joined by Gen-Z voters Hannah, Shwetha and Alexander who give their perspectives on what drives them and their peers to the polls.

In our latest episode of "Beyond the Ballot" we take a closer look at the role of the Supreme Court and the judiciary in the 2024 U.S. elections. Our guest, Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor at Slate Magazine, offers insights into the declining public trust in the Supreme Court and explores ways to restore its credibility. We discuss current limitations on judicial ethics and potential reform, including term limits, retirement ages, and changes to the number of justices. Dahlia also discusses the significant impact, the Supreme Court, an unelected body, can have on the presidential election.

The third episode of Beyond the Ballot takes a deeper look at the top issue driving the U.S. election: the economy. Our guest, John Murphy, Senior Vice President and Head of International at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discusses the difference between macroeconomic indicators and individual financial well-being, and what matters more to voters. The episode also highlights the importance of international trade for every American, and why regardless of who wins in November, we should not expect a substantial shift in U.S. trade policy.

The second episode of Beyond the Ballot takes an in-depth look at the role education plays in national elections, through the lens of one of its most controversial issues: book banning. Our first guest, Nadine Farid-Johnson, Policy Director at Columbia University's Knight First Amendment Insitute, delves into historical and constitutional aspects of book banning. Next, Irene Braam, Executive Director of the Bertelsmann Foundation, gives an overview of the societal and political impacts of book banning, including on developing an informed electorate.

The first episode of Beyond the Ballot looks at the history and significance of primaries and caucuses with special guest Dr. Elaine Kamarck, Director of the Center for Effective Public Management at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. The episode takes an in-depth look on how primaries and caucuses work, the key role early primary and caucus states play for candidate momentum, and why the primary calendar may need adjusting to better reflect the U.S. electorate in 2024.