I have a question!

Amanda is paying attention and feels like she knows less.

Let's just dive right in, shall we? Amanda wants to know if our election process is fair. Why does it seem like some countries have it figured out and America is still over here trying to screw in a friggin' lightbulb? Clearly there isn't a way to have a one size fits all approach to a nation so large, but it seems like we don't even have a say in choices being made at all (Electoral College, heard of it?). Why are communities of color less incentivized to vote? Is voting a right or a responsibility?

This week, Amanda is joined by NYU professor and political scientist Andrea Jones-Rooy, Ph.D. to discuss voter suppression. Andrea explains the ways in which people are prevented from making decisions that would be beneficial to our future. Autonomy generally seems like a good idea, but that tends to not work as well for a team mentality. And how about this slice: people in power have incentives to make voting difficult because they don't want to lose. How do we get people to care about 'D'? Andrea also shares the greatest equation of all time when discussing the personal 'cost' of voting.

Check out 'Ask A Political Scientist' on YouTube, Thursdays at 7pm EST

'The Anger Gap: How Race Shapes Emotion In Politics' by Davin Phoenix

Follow Andrea on Twitter and Instagram @jonesrooy

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Follow Amanda on Twitter and Instagram @amandavannos

Thoughts? More questions? Email the show!

[email protected]

What a week! Amanda feels like she's been playing political whack-a-mole and puts a call out to Google to help state websites with their accessibility--why is everything so hard?

Amanda had the opportunity to sit down with Sarah Rosier, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Ballotpedia. Amanda needed a civics class refresher and Sarah delivered (who has what job, again?). Sarah put a spotlight on the importance of the census as well as the power of staying focused and informed about statewide elections. They also discussed the divisiveness occurring on both sides, and what happened to politicians making choices to benefit the nation as a whole. Also what in the the hell is a 'special election' and when did term limits get so sexy?

What made this conversation especially great, is the Ballotpedia focus on neutrality. There was NO LEANING in this episode.

Sarah encourages doing the homework and using the Ballotpedia sample ballot, available on their website, to prepare you for what is on your state's ballot this November.

Follow Ballotpedia on Twitter @ballotpedia

Stay up to date with elections in your state by checking out www.ballotpedia.com

Follow the show on Instagram @ihaveaquestionthepodcast

Follow Amanda on Twitter and Instagram @amandavannos

Thoughts? More questions? Email the show!

[email protected]

There are a number of issues that are not at the forefront during this election cycle and Amanda needs some clarification, so she's starting with something near and dear: women AND politics. Amanda had the opportunity to sit down with Christina Reynolds, Vice President of Communications at EMILY's List and find out:

What goes into running for office? Why the disparity of female representation? What is the female vote? Why does it matter what ethnicity is voting? How do we get women on the same page with so many differing views?

Christina encourages women to hold people in power accountable and highlights the positive effects of social media.

Are you registered to vote? Check out your state's deadline here

Follow Christina on Twitter @creynoldsnc

Donate to EMILY's List: https://www.emilyslist.org/donate

Follow Amanda on Twitter and Instagram @amandavannos

Thoughts? More questions? Email the show!

[email protected]