On August 5, ahead of the November 2020 general election in the United States, Columbia World Projects hosted an event on repairing our voting infrastructure to ensure voter participation in the 2020 election.

The event, "Repairing Our Voting Infrastructure: Planning for the 2020 Election," explored the unprecedented challenges the upcoming American election faces as a result of the pandemic; how to protect against voter suppression efforts and lower barriers to voting by traditionally marginalized groups; and how people can contribute to the health of democracy by getting involved in their local elections.

Tiana Epps-Johnson, Executive Director of the Center for Tech and Civic Life; Kate Gage, Founding Partner of the Movement Cooperative; and Amber McReynolds CEO of the National Vote At Home Institute and Coalition took part in the conversation, which was moderated by Columbia World Projects Fellow Hollie Russon Gilman. 

"Our remit here at Columbia World Projects is to try to leverage a great research university to have impact in the world," Gilman said in opening remarks: "We hope that at the end of today's conversation you'll all feel more empowered and equipped to participate in our democracy and contribute to our democratic life."

Panel participants grappled with questions including how technologies and mail-in voting can be used to expand ballot access while ensuring legitimacy, inclusivity and the transparency of elections; and how to protect the democratic goals of an empowered electorate. Panelists explored the challenges that election officials face in expanding mail-in voting and holding in-person elections while preserving public health.
 
The event was cosponsored by the School of International and Public Affairs and the Office of University Life and is part of a larger Columbia World Projects voter event mobilization series that kicked off with a June event with María Teresa Kumar, Nsé Ufot and Olatunde Johnson.

Watch the full discussion here: