Dr. Bednar will provide an overview of the American electoral system, paying particular attention to the way that federalism shapes the rules and the effects of the rules. We’ll consider how the system varies between states, with topics to include voting eligibility, candidate qualifications, the districting process, electoral rules, campaign finance, and direct democracy.

Dr. Jenna Bednar is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan, the Edie N. Goldenberg Endowed Director of the Michigan in Washington program, and a member of the external faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. She is the author of an award-winning book, “The Robust Federation: Principles of Design”, as well as over three dozen articles on topics ranging from campaign contributions, to Medicaid reform, to institutional performance. She earned her Ph.D. from Stanford University.

This is the first in a six-lecture series. The subject is Voting in America: Perennial Issues, Current Developments. The next lecture will be November 7, 2019. The subject is Election and Voting Security in the United States.