Election experts convene to evaluate threats and opportunities to improve U.S. elections
The McCourt School’s Tech & Public Policy program hosted federal and state election officials, experts and academics to discuss election preparedness ahead of November.
The McCourt School of Public Policy’s Tech & Public Policy (TPP) program hosted election misinformation experts, practitioners and federal officials from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and the Department of Justice for “Safeguarding Democracy: Protecting Elections and Election Workers.” This one-day symposium focused on election resilience, readiness and opportunities to improve technological innovation for elections across the U.S., particularly as the November 2024 presidential election draws near. The programming also included a panel discussion on the importance of supporting and investing in election workers to strengthen the democratic process. Federal Election Commission Vice Chair Ellen L. Weintraub gave the keynote address, highlighting the importance of strengthening our election systems to preserve and bolster U.S. democracy.
Federal Election Commission Vice Chair Ellen Weintraub delivered the event’s keynote address.
“As we move closer to the presidential election, we face a critical moment in the history of our republic, one that will force a test of the public’s faith in participatory democracy. It comes down to: Can we trust our elections?” said Michelle De Mooy, TPP director. “This trust is not only a question of what is real and what is not. It is also a question of who we believe, why we believe them, where we go to find out the truth and how we are manipulated by product and platform design to seek out certain information.”
TPP Director Michelle De Mooy gave opening remarks at the McCourt School’s new building on Georgetown University’s Capitol Campus.
Highlighting technology’s role in elections
McCourt Assistant Teaching Professor Ioannis Ziogas and Associate Teaching Professor Lia Merivaki , affiliates of the School’s Massive Data Institute , co-developed the programming. Featured content included the role of emerging technologies such as AI in the potential spread of misinformation and disinformation, as well as the significance of protecting the integrity of election data.
“Our panels showcased that maintaining an election process that is free, fair and secure requires the collaboration and cooperation of multiple stakeholders, from federal and state government officials and civil society to technology providers and news organizations,” said Merivaki. “The core theme of our event was that technology plays a critical role in running and securing elections and building resilience against misinformation.”
McCourt Associate Teaching Professor Lia Merivaki moderated a panel on election readiness, featuring Tammy Patrick, CEO of programs at the National Association of Elections, and Ron Turner, supervisor of elections in Sarasota County, Florida.
“This series of panels not only deepened the understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced but also reinforced the commitment to safeguarding democracy through technology and policy innovations, as well as groundbreaking research at institutions like the McCourt School and its Tech & Public Policy program and Massive Data Institute,” said Ziogas during his closing remarks.
McCourt Assistant Teaching Professor Ioannis Ziogas delivered closing remarks.
Learn more about how McCourt’s Tech & Public Policy program works to advance technology policy that serves the common good.