SUNY Fredonia Political Science faculty will look at current events and whether the Constitutional right to vote is under threat during a panel discussion on Monday, Sept. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Williams Center Room 204. "A New War on Voting Rights? Voter Identification Laws, Citizenship, and Partisan Manipulation" is taking place to recognize the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, which was signed Sept. 17, 1787.
Constitution Day (or Citizenship Day) is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens.
Panelists are Drs. David Rankin, Alex Caviedes, Richard Jankowski and Jonathan Chausovsky. There will be substantial time for questions from the audience. Refreshments will be provided.
Dr. Rankin will examine the political and electoral implications of new voter laws in competitive states for the presidential election such as Florida, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. He will discuss how new voter laws could affect voter registration and turnout among groups traditionally less likely to vote, including younger voters, and how it could impact who wins the Electoral College.
Dr. Caviedes will discuss the rationales behind voter ID laws that focus on citizenship, and question the degree to which those rationales are warranted. He will explore why such laws might have a heavier impact on immigrant and ethnic populations, and to what degree such laws and such a debate might have an impact the quality of our democracy in general.
Dr. Jankowski notes that gerrymandering of electoral districts is common in American politics. Representatives have different means and objectives in gerrymandering. He will explore the various forms of gerrymandering, and discuss the implications for democray.
Dr. Chausovsky will moderate the discussion and highlight the constitution issues involved.
Sponsors of the event are the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Department of Political Science, the Political Science Association, College Republicans and College Democrats.
