Online panel discussion and live Q&A featuring guest speakers Professor Tim Kiska, Professor Nancy Kursman, and Professor Julio Borquez
On Wednesday, June 23, we visited with three experts who helped us to explore and better understand the continuing impact of the 2020 Presidential Election.
We were joined by three University of Michigan-Dearborn professors who follow elections closely. Communications professor Tim Kiska joined Political Science professors Julio Borquez and Nancy Kursman to revisit the 2020 Election — events leading up to it, the election itself, media coverage, post-election events, and the wave of changes to voting laws now being considered and, in some cases, enacted at the state level.
The 2020 Presidential Election was unlike any other. In response to a global pandemic, voting was made much more convenient across the country resulting in unprecedented levels of turnout. Unfounded claims of fraud, however, have since produced lawsuits, violence, and legislation in Michigan and more than 40 other states that would make voting less convenient and/or the results of elections more easily overturned by state officials.
How did this all get started? What role, if any, did how the American media covers elections play in giving life to this? What is the nature of the changes to election law being proposed? How likely is it that voting restrictions will be adopted in the states? Is there a reasonable chance of federal action to protect voting rights? These are just a few of the questions addressed during The War Memorial’s final live online American Democracy event of spring 2021.
This session was presented in collaboration with faculty members from the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters and the College of Education, Health, and Human Services at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
NOTE: Professor Dale Thomson, was originally scheduled to be featured as a guest at this event, but, unfortunately, was unable to attend.
Live American Democracy events are hosted by Ted Everingham, former-Chair and current member of The War Memorial’s Board of Directors, and produced by Michael Montgomery who, when not working with us, is a lecturer in the College of Education, Health and Human Services at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
About Julio Borquez
Julio Borquez is an associate professor of political science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he teaches courses on campaigns and elections, public opinion, and research methodology. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
About Tim Kiska
Tim Kiska is an associate professor of communication at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he teaches courses on communication, journalism and screen studies. He was previously a working journalist with the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News and continues to work with WXYZ Channel 7 on its political coverage. He holds a Ph.D. from Wayne State University.
About Nancy Kursman
Nancy Kursman is a Lecturer in Political Science and Director of the Public Service Internship Program at UM-Dearborn where she teaches courses on public administration, public policy, and political science. She holds a Ph.D. from Rice University.