As the 2020 United States presidential election approaches, Slover Library will examine the power of voter accessibility and information during the election season in a two-part series of virtual panels.
Previous Events
Democracy and the Informed Citizen
Thursday, September 3 at 6–8 PM
Seasoned journalists of Hampton Roads and experts from Old Dominion University will gather virtually with Slover Library to explore the critical role of local journalism in support of an informed citizenry. The panel will discuss the current state of media, new tactics in an increasingly digital era and how they shape the election process.
Panelists
Barbara Hamm Lee, Executive Producer and Host of Another View
Ryan Murphy, Reporter, The Virginian-Pilot
Jesse Richman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, ODU Department of Political Science and Geography
Peter Adams, Author/Lecturer, ODU Department of English
Amy Matzke-Fawcett, Strategic Communication and Outreach Coordinator, ODU College of Arts and Letters
This program is part of the “Democracy and the Informed Citizen” initiative, administered across the nation by the Federation of State Humanities Councils. The initiative seeks to deepen the public’s knowledge and appreciation of the vital connections between democracy, the humanities, journalism, and an informed citizenry.
Virtual Panel Discussion of the Film Rigged
Friday, August 28 at 7–8 PM
Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook takes a rigorous look at voter suppression and sparks spirited discussion on the actions needed to protect our democracy. This award-winning documentary was shot principally during the 2016 election. The film tracks a systematic, decade-long effort to suppress votes at scale and reverse the growing demographic tide of non-white and younger voters who helped elect President Barack Obama in 2008. Using cinema verite, #RiggedTheFilm details a variety of mendacious voter suppression “plays,” or tactics, ranging from the purging of voting rolls and passing of new, restrictive voter ID laws to gerrymandering and voter intimidation. It is narrated by Emmy & Tony award-winning actor, Jeffrey Wright.
Panelists
Timothy Smith, Executive Producer at the American Issues Initiative
J. Gerald Hebert, Senior Director, Voting Rights & Redistricting at Campaign Legal Center
Vickie R. Williams, MPA, Executive Director of OPN-Door Communications
Check your Registration Status
Register to vote, update your current Virginia voter registration, apply to vote absentee by mail, or view your polling place, election district, absentee ballot status, and voting history.
Voting in Norfolk
An information resource for the citizens of Norfolk regarding elected officials, voter registration, and election services.
We thank The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Virginia Center for the Book for their generous support of this initiative and the Pulitzer Prizes for their partnership.
