Virtual Event — Democratizing Democracy: The Impact of DC’s Public Campaign Financing Program and The Future of Local Elections

The panel discussion featured Georgetown University’s Department of Sociology and McCourt School of Public Policy Professor Brian McCabe, At-Large DC Councilmember Christina Henderson, Columbia University Professor Ester Fuchs and political strategist and consultant Chuck Thies, and was moderated by Michael Brice-Saddler of The Washington Post.

View a recording of the event:

The research team behind a new Georgetown report revealed how the DC Fair Elections program has transformed the way political campaigns are financed in the District and its impact on candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Now, DC lawmakers are turning their attention to ranked choice voting (RCV), a popular electoral system that could further expand donor pools and candidate participation. In July 2021, Councilmember Henderson introduced legislation to bring RCV to the District of Columbia for its 2024 elections. Our expert panel discussed the potential impact of that legislation and how broader policy changes to municipal elections have produced fairer elections in major cities across the US. 

Welcome Remarks:

Christopher Murphy, Georgetown University

Opening Remarks:

Dean Maria Cancian, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University

Report Presentation:

Dr. Brian McCabe and Kenan Dogan (SFS‘23), Georgetown University

Panel Discussion:

• The Honorable Christina Henderson, At-Large DC Councilmember
• Michael Brice-Saddler, The Washington Post (moderator)
• Dr. Ester Fuchs, Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs
• Dr. Brian McCabe, Georgetown University’s Department of Sociology and McCourt School of Public Policy
• Chuck Thies, Political Strategist and Consultant