Flipping the Narrative on American Democracy

Pema Levy, Mother Jones; Moderator

Joshua Douglas, Thomas P. Lewis Professor of Law, University of Kentucky College of Law

Richard Hasen, Chancellor’s Professor of Law and Political Science, University of California, Irvine School of Law

Marina Jenkins, Litigation Director, National Redistricting Foundation

Bertrall Ross, Chancellor’s Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley School of Law

Many progressives lament that our constitutional system is inherently undemocratic, with electoral seats awarded to candidates who do not win the popular vote and the explicit denial of voting rights to American citizens based on where they live or because they have felony convictions. Indeed, much of the narrative around voting, democracy, and representation over the last decade has focused on concerted efforts to shrink the electorate and gerrymander political districts, and the progressive response to those efforts. Yet the momentum may be shifting. Innovative ideas are on the table that will expand the electorate and ensure that representatives better resemble their constituents. Are we ready to play offense? Will these strategies ultimately strengthen not only voting rights, but also our democratic institutions? Why are these proposals more likely to gain traction than other ideas, and what can be done to support these efforts?

SPEAKERS
Pema Levy, Mother Jones; Moderator
Joshua Douglas, Thomas P. Lewis Professor of Law, University of Kentucky College of Law
Richard Hasen, Chancellor’s Professor of Law and Political Science, University of California, Irvine School of Law
Marina Jenkins, Litigation Director, National Redistricting Foundation
Bertrall Ross, Chancellor’s Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley School of Law

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