Untangling the Tally: Take a deep dive into how modern elections work and the various ways citizens engage with this core system of democracy. This series aims to untangle the logistics of elections, the role of technology and news coverage during elections, and the challenges faced by electors today to help build trust in their ability to participate in our government with confidence.

October 13: The Logistics of Elections @ Noon-1pm

It’s Election Day! Time to head to the polls to cast our votes. But what happens to our ballots once we hand them in? In fact, how do the ballots even get to our local polling places? And how are all the ballots from all across the state counted? Election Day is a large, complicated event. It takes months of planning and coordination between state and local governments to pull it off. Who is involved in these logistics? And most importantly, how do we make sure nothing goes wrong?

Join our panel of experts: Ted Bromley, Director of Elections at the Secretary of the State’s Office; Michael J. Brandi, Exec. Dir. and Gen. Counsel of the State Elections Enforcement Commission; Alex Russell, UConn Prof and Director at the Center for Voting Technology Research; and Lauren Olson, Town of Ashford Registrar of Voters, as they discuss the logistics of elections, how the state works together with town clerks and poll workers, and all the measures taken to ensure the election is safe. Moderated by Laura Smits, President of CT’s League of Women Voters.

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October 20: Media and Elections @ Noon-1pm

The media plays a fundamental role in any democracy, and all eyes are on the news on Election Day. From traditional news anchors, to independent reporters on Twitter, we have minute to minute election updates available right at our fingertips. But this overabundance of information can easily lead to confusion, misinformation, and the creation of echo chambers. 

Join our panel of experts: Mara Suttmann-Lea, Asst. Prof. of American Politics at Connecticut College; Christine Stuart, Editor at CT News Junkie; Belinha de Abreu, President of the International Council for Media Literacy; and Mercy A. Quaye, Founder & President of The Narrative Project, who will discuss the role of news coverage and social media on Election day and the days leading up to it, and how we can protect ourselves from disinformation and find trustworthy sources. Moderated by Anita Ford-Saunders, Communication Strategist.

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October 27: Barriers to Voting @ Noon-1pm

Elections have changed through the decades, but one thing has always remained the same: voting is not easy for everyone. For many eligible voters, it is actually near impossible. Issues of accessibility, convenience, transportation, time constraints, and a slew of other complications have always plagued Election Day. And the reasons so many citizens can’t make it to the polls, or choose not to go at all, go beyond just physical barriers.

Join our panel of experts: Yanidsi Vélez, Hispanic Federation CT State Director; Steven Hernandez, Executive Director of the General Assembly’s Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, Equity and Opportunity; Doris Maldonado, CT Council on Developmental Disabilities Chair, and Joe Goldman,Civics Teacher, E.O. Smith High School in Mansfield, as they discuss the barriers that many citizens face to have their votes counted on Election Day. Moderated by Val Ramos, Director of Strategic Alliances at Everyday Democracy.

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November 10: Post-Election Conversation with Voters @ 7pm-8pm

For more information: https://ctdemocracycenter.org/tally/