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Challenging Voter Suppression: A Campus Discussion
November 13, 2017 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Join us for a discussion on voting rights in the United States!
Monday, November 13th from 6 – 7:30 pm in the Pugh Hall Ocora
Together, we are inviting students and community members to gain insight on democracy in the US and develop ideas about how we can all be better activists for truly free and equal election access.
Two of UF’s best professors – Dr. Paul Ortiz and Dr. Dan Smith will join the attendees to jumpstart our conversation and offer their perspective on the legacy of this issue. Following the speakers, you’ll have chance to hear from your peers and share your own perspective on an issue that strikes to the very heart of American democracy.
The agenda is as follows:
6PM – Dr. Paul Ortiz will speak on the historical legacy of voter suppression in the US
6:20PM – Dr. Dan Smith will speak on present-day examples of voter suppression, as well as his ongoing research projects on US elections.
6:40PM – Attendees break into small groups. Student discussion facilitators will guide discussion with questions like: Why does voter suppression happen? What communities are at the greatest risk? How can we be good activists for free and equal election access?
7:10PM – Small groups will share highlights from their discussion. Together, we will address the future of election access and plan future action items.
We hope to inspire long-term commitment to ending discriminatory election practices by instilling:
A better understanding of the legacy of voter suppression in the US
An understanding of what groups were traditionally targeted and why/how
An improved ability to recognize modern-day policies that could lead to voter suppression
Ideas about how to promote equal access to the ballot as student activists and young adults after graduation
This event is sponsored by the UF Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, the UF Sistuhs, and the Graham Center Student Fellows.