The 2020 presidential election faces unprecedented challenges, from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, threats of foreign interference, and social unrest, to questions about the United States Postal Service’s resources and ability to handle unprecedented volume of ballots by mail. These issues interact with and could amplify existing disparities in access to voting related to race and socioeconomic status. With experts widely predicting that full election results may not be available for many weeks after election night, pivotal states like Pennsylvania must think through and put into place measures to ensure the integrity of the election process.
On Wednesday, September 2, from 12:30-2:00 p.m. EDT, the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, in partnership with Keep Our Republic, a non-partisan non-profit composed of citizens, bipartisan former officials and civic leaders who are committed to ensuring the smooth and regular operation of our electoral system, will host a virtual symposium during which a panel of experts from different fields will assess the aforementioned risks to, and potential problems with, the election process, and propose practical responses to mitigate those risks and shortfalls.
Who: A diverse panel of experts, moderated by Ted Ruger, Dean of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and including:
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold
Former Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA)
Former United States Senator Gary Hart (D-CO)
Daniel Gillion, Julie Beren Platt and Marc E. Platt Presidential Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania
Kristen Clarke, President & Executive Director, National Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Josh Geltzer, Visiting Professor of Law, Executive Director, Institute for Constitutional Advocacy at Georgetown University
Following the panel will be an interactive Q&A discussion, which will feature additional prominent guests. Media questions can be submitted in advance to [email protected]
When: Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Where: Registration required: https://pennlaw.cvent.com/HoldingElectionUnderCrisis2020
Time: 12:30-2:00 p.m. EDT