Elections are the bedrock of our democracy, but for so many of us the process around the ballot box, is a black box –a total mystery. This year, the doubts and uncertainties surrounding the election are at an all-time high as our circumstances are forcing massive changes in our normal election experience. This episode takes […]
2020 Election
Ep. 112 Fragile Democracy: Race and Voting Rights in North Carolina
In the past few elections cycles North Carolina has been at the center of discussions around race-based voter suppression, most recently focused on stringent voter ID requirements. With election day only two months away, there is growing concern in the pivotal swing state of North Carolina about whether their voice will be heard. James Leloudis, […]
Ep. 108: A Wartime President?
In late March President Trump said he considers himself a wartime president. The fight against COVID-19 has since intensified; the number of cases in the US doubled in that time. How does Trump compare to wartime leaders of the past? Sanford School @ Duke · A Wartime President? Bruce Jentleson is the William […]
Ep. 104 Should Political Ads on Social Media be Regulated?
Social media has drastically changed political discourse. With the 2020 elections around the corner, we sit down with two people with different views for a conversation about social media platforms and political advertising. Matt Perault is a former director of Public Policy at Facebook. Phil Napoli is author of Social Media and the Public Interest: […]
Ep. 99 The Connection Between Medicaid and Democracy
Medicaid is one of the largest social welfare programs in the United States. With over 70 million people enrolled, it covers 20 percent of the US population. Though the program is federal, it’s implemented by the state and some states offer generous benefits while others do not. Professor Jamila Michener argues these disparities are actually […]
Ep. 98 Getting Out the Vote on Campus
The number of college students across the nation who voted in the midterms doubled between 2014 and 2018. At Duke University, the voting rate was even higher – it jumped 114 percent. We explore how that jump happened and what specific strategies other colleges could use to increase their own student voting rates. Sanford School […]