Democracy Optimist

In this episode of Democracy Optimist, Josh Douglas hosts a conversation with CivicLex founding director Richard Young on why local elected offices, often referred to as "down ballot" offices, are more impactful on daily life than the big national races, such as President, that appear at the top.

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What are the lessons learned from the 2020 elections? How will state election officials ensure a free and fair 2024 presidential election? Democracy Optimist host Josh Douglas raises these questions and more with Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams. Plus: an “election law of the day”; a “fun election fact”; and “One thing you can do to support democracy.”

What are the lessons learned from the 2020 elections? How will state election officials ensure a free and fair 2024 presidential election?

Democracy Optimist host Josh Douglas raises these questions with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Plus: an “election law of the day”; a “fun election fact”; and “One thing you can do to support democracy.”

Democracy Optimist is a thought-provoking public radio series and podcast that delves deep into the heart of democratic processes, elections, and voting rights to ask a simple but vital question: how do we sustain our democracy?

The series is hosted by University of Kentucky Election Law research professor Joshua Douglas, a passionate advocate for civic engagement, and produced by WEKU under the auspices of the Eastern Standard production team.

From candid conversations with experts to engaging interviews with everyday champions of democracy, each episode offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and triumphs of the democratic process. Good news on voting rights is possible—if we take seriously the need to protect our democracy. We aim to amplify the diverse voices shaping our political landscape and seek to inspire informed, empowered citizens.

Democracy Optimist theme music, (What Does It Mean to Be An) American, is contributed to the series by the composer and artist, Madeleine Peyroux.