A Conversation About Voting Rights

Please join the Penn Law American Constitution Society and the Democracy Law Project on Wednesday, October 27 at 4:30 PM in Fitts Auditorium for a conversation about voting rights and voter protection, featuring panelists Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt, former Voter Protection Director for the PA Democratic Party Kay Yu, and Public Interest Law Center Attorney Ben Geffen, for a discussion about their experiences working with and litigating PA voter protection issues and electoral law matters as well as pending cases and legislation that will affect subsequent elections.

Al Schmidt is in his third term as City Commissioner of Philadelphia. As City Commissioner, he is one of three members on the bipartisan Board of Elections where he serves as Vice Chairman. Commissioner Schmidt has worked to modernize election operations, improve efficiency, and bring greater integrity to the election process. He was recently profiled by the New York Times for his work with the 2020 Presidential Election.

Kay Yu is the Former Voter Protection Director for the PA Democratic Party. In her role, she was responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive voter protection plan in conjunction with the Biden/Harris Coordinated Campaign to identify and triage problems in the 2020 Primary and General Elections. 

Ben Geffen is a Staff Attorney at the Public Interest Law Center. Mr. Geffen was instrumental in challenging and striking down PA’s gerrymandered 2011 congressional map and Voter ID law. His other cases include a class action that restored visitation rights for inmates at the Philadelphia Federal Detention Center, numerous matters protecting children’s access to healthcare and education, and challenges to employment discrimination against people with criminal records.