In this episode of The BoricuaBC2 Show, host Bill Cancel is joined by Andrea Hailey, one of the largest nonpartisan voter engagement organizations in the United States. The conversation explores why millions of eligible Americans do not vote, the myths surrounding voter participation, and how access, technology, and trust shape modern elections. Andrea shares firsthand insights into voter suppression, misinformation, and the systems that either encourage or discourage democratic participation.

Andrea Hailey is the Chief Executive Officer of Vote.org, where she leads nationwide efforts to register voters, provide accurate election information, expand ballot access, and combat voter suppression. A leading voting rights advocate, Andrea brings deep experience in civic engagement, election policy, and nonprofit leadership, working at the intersection of democracy, technology, and public trust.

Expect to Learn

• The most common reasons eligible Americans do not vote
• How voter access and voter security are often framed as being in conflict
• Why myths like “my vote doesn’t matter” persist
• How early voting, same-day registration, and election-day holidays impact turnout
• The role of technology in combating misinformation while protecting election integrity
• Why local elections often matter more than national races
• How misinformation and disinformation threaten voter confidence
• Practical ways individuals and organizations can support voter participation
  
  

• [00:00] - Introduction and welcome to Andrea Hailey
• [02:02] - Why eligible Americans fail to vote
• [04:22] - Mandatory voting and lessons from Australia
• [06:15] - Election security vs voter access
• [12:06] - Leadership, myths, and public trust
• [15:28] - Technology’s role in election access and rapid response
• [26:33] - Disinformation and misinformation campaigns and deepfakes
• [29:15] - How media and podcasts can support democracy
• [31:45] - Closing thoughts and continued civic engagement

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-hailey/ 
• Company’s Website: https://www.vote.org/ 
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/votedotorg/ 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cancelbill/ 
• Website: https://www.theboricuabc2show.com/ 
• BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boricuabc2.bsky.social

Listening Links:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0j6soWAazqs8DJTJJ9FsZr
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boricuabc2-show/id1802890213
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Boricuabc2

In this episode of The BoricuaBC2 Show, Bill Cancel is joined by Miles Rapoport. They discuss the current state of US elections, the erosion of voting norms, voter suppression, and confusion, and how to restore trust in the electoral system. Miles shares his insights on the efforts to manipulate voting systems, the importance of civic education, and why universal voting could help increase turnout and rebuild faith in democracy.

Miles Rapoport is an Executive Director at 100% Democracy: An Initiative for Universal Voting and a former Connecticut Secretary of State and a leading advocate for voting rights and election reform in the United States. With decades of experience working on voting rights and election reform, Miles has been involved in numerous efforts to ensure fair and free elections, and his expertise in this area makes him a key voice in discussions about the future of US democracy.

• How voter suppression and voter confusion are intertwined and weaponised in US elections
• The role of election officials and how they maintain the integrity of elections
• Why universal voting could improve turnout and reduce misinformation
• How redistricting and gerrymandering continue to affect US elections
• The impact of misinformation on voter confidence and how to combat it
• What reforms are needed to restore trust in the electoral process

• [00:00] - Introduction and overview of the episode’s focus on election integrity.
• [01:46] - Discussion on threats to voting norms and manipulation of future elections.
• [04:27] - Examining presidential overreach and legal checks on executive power.
• [07:05] - How voter confusion acts as a tool for suppressing turnout.
• [10:52] - Optimism around voter turnout despite political disillusionment.
• [11:39] - Lessons from Connecticut on maintaining trust in elections.
• [13:45] - How misinformation may discourage Trump’s own supporters.
• [14:25] - The struggle for nonpartisan groups to stay neutral in polarized times.
• [16:28] - Exploring voting reforms like universal voting and fusion voting.
• [21:19] - Debunking major myths about fraud and election officials.
• [23:34] - Why disengaged voters should care about participating.
• [25:19] - The role of civic education in rebuilding trust and awareness.
• [26:56] - Final thoughts on defending democracy and voter responsibility.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miles-rapoport-21a117189/ 
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/100-democracy/ 
• Company’s Website: https://100percentdemocracy.org/ 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cancelbill/ 
• Website: https://www.theboricuabc2show.com/ 
• BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boricuabc2.bsky.social

Listening Links:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0j6soWAazqs8DJTJJ9FsZr
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boricuabc2-show/id1802890213

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Boricuabc2