National Experts, LSU Scholars to Discuss How COVID-19 Will Shape Voting in 2020

June 16, 2020

BATON ROUGE – Local and national experts will discuss the potential effects of COVID-19 on the 2020 presidential elections and beyond on Thursday, June 18, at 3:30 p.m. CST. The discussion is the seventh installment of the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication’s Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs Communications & COVID-19 virtual series.

Since the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision rescinding a key element of the 1965 Voting Rights Act requiring advanced federal approval for election law changes, voter suppression measures have increased. Amid this pandemic, states have an opportunity to expand or limit voting options. And in Louisiana, limiting mail-in voting options may restrict access to the democratic process for marginalized communities of color hardest hit by COVID-19. Why? In-person voting could be a life-threatening act for this population. 

“Voting in a Pandemic: COVID-19 & the 2020 Election” will explore these dynamics of state and national voting structures, along with historical implications of COVID-19 on upcoming elections, both nationally and in Louisiana.

The complete list of panelists features:

  • Bradley Williams, Social Media Manager, National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Manship School 2015 graduate | Discussion Moderator
  • Susan Greenhalgh, Senior Advisor on Election Security, Free Speech for People
  • Robert Mann, Professor and Manship Chair in Journalism, Manship School of Mass Communication, Louisiana State University
  • David Stamps, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Public Relations, Manship School of Mass Communication, Louisiana State University
  • Christopher J. Tyson, President and CEO, Build Baton Rouge and Newman Trowbridge Distinguished Professor of Law, Louisiana State University

Registration for “Voting in a Pandemic: COVID-19 & the 2020 Election” and each of the events in the Communications & COVID-19 series can be found at Eventbrite: Communications & COVID-19. Registrants will receive a Zoom meeting link and information on how to join. The event will also be recorded and uploaded to the Manship School’s YouTube channel.

For more information, contact ksibley1@lsu.edu.

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The Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs is partnership-driven, action-oriented and dedicated to exploring contemporary issues at the intersection of mass communication and public life. Its interdisciplinary approach draws together experts from diverse fields to advance research and dialogue. The intent is to inspire our communities to think deeply, take action, develop solutions and broaden knowledge. Underlying the Center’s endeavors is to strengthen and advance the Manship School’s national and state leadership in media and politics.

LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication ranks among the strongest collegiate communication programs in the country, with its robust emphasis on media and public affairs. It offers undergraduate degrees in public relations, journalism, political communication, digital advertising and pre-law, along with four graduate degree programs: master of mass communication, Ph.D. in media and public affairs, certificate of strategic communication and dual MMC/law degree.

 

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