Election Connection

This episode gives listeners current news updates on where we are in the election cycle. We highlight recent political and legal developments and how they are likely to affect voters and the election outcome. We also mention recent international election-related news in other major democracies.

In this episode, we continue to tackle listeners’ questions, especially focusing on the power and challenges of the youth vote.

In this episode, we tackle listeners’ questions. All your questions about election and voting are answered! Want to understand Rank Choice Voting? Proposals to reform the Electoral College? Presidential Debates? We answer it all in this fast-paced episode!

In this episode, we discuss the historical context and reasons that produced the Electoral College system. We highlight the indirect nature of this vote and detail the criticism of this system and why many Americans favor replacing it with a popular vote system. 

In this episode, we dissect the mechanics of the Electoral College. We discuss the indirect nature of the process of electing the president, explain how states allocate electoral votes based on congressional representation and delve into discrepancies in Senate power and its impact on democratic representation. We also highlight the complexities of popular vote versus electoral vote outcomes and the importance of understanding the Electoral College's nuances for American democracy. 

We interview long-time director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, David Paleologos. We learn about explain what polling is, what makes polls scientific, and how to interpret the polling data; we also explain some of the current challenges to relying on poll results in the upcoming elections. 

We delve into into the intricacies of election forecasting and the unique dynamics shaping the 2024 presidential race. How accurate are these predictions? Hosts Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber and Rachael Cobb break down varying approaches to election forecasting, and examine the factors that influence these forecasts, from economic indicators, polling data, to the impact of presidential approval ratings to the complexity of partisan politics.

Hosts Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber and Rachael Cobb discuss the relationship between journalism and democracy. They explain how the decline of local newspapers is posing challenges to voters, and how the lack of local coverage influences politicians. The hosts delve into the significant challenges in places that are termed “News Desert” and how new business models of journalism can offer solutions. 

A bi-partisan team of former members of Congress visit hosts Rachael Cobb and Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber, part of the Congress to Campus program. Former members of Congress Fred Upton, (R-MI, 1987-2023) and Jim Hoeffel (D-PA, 1999-2005) come to Studio 73 and discuss bi-partisanship, public discourse, social media and answer student questions. Thank you to our wonderful guests! 

Hosts Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber and Rachael Cobb discuss Voter ID laws. They explain the different types of identification requirements across states, ranging from non-strict to strict, and how these laws have evolved since the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002. The hosts delve into the political motivations behind Voter ID laws and the debate surrounding their impact on voter turnout, particularly among minority groups.