The Future of US Democracy

ATLANTA, GA (PR) - On Thursday, October 23, 6pm, Georgians from across the political spectrum will have an opportunity to share their views on money in politics, elections, and the future of our democracy with one of the nation’s top elections officials.  Ann Ravel, Vice Chair of the Federal Election Commission, will participate in a public forum hosted by the Emory University School of Law at the Tull Auditorium, 1301 Clifton Road NE, in Atlanta.

“People from across the political spectrum are concerned about the state of our democracy,” said Vice Chair Ravel.  “Yet their voices often aren’t heard during FEC deliberations in Washington.  We need to broaden the dialogue beyond the Beltway and hear directly from the American people.  That’s why I look forward to participating in this town hall discussion at the Emory University School of Law.  I want to hear from Georgians about the state of our elections, money in politics, and the future of democracy.”

A record-breaking $7 billion was spent to sway voters during the 2012 election cycle.  Estimates are that about $4 billion will be spent during this year’s mid-term election, with $700 million or more in anonymous spending. In Georgia’s U.S. Senate race this year, about $34 million has already been spent on ads to sway voters.  More than $11 million of that comes from outside groups, many of which do not disclose their donors.  Nationally, outside spending by such groups increased from just $5 million in 2006 to more than $300 million in 2012.

Recent polling indicates that Americans across the political spectrum are concerned about the sharp rise in election spending from anonymous sources as well as the growing influence of large campaign donors.  The October 23 forum is an opportunity for students, faculty, and other Georgians to voice their views directly to Vice Chair Ravel in a public, town hall-style setting.  The discussion will also include opening remarks by Vice Chair Ravel and local election and campaign finance experts.  Emory University law professor Michael Kang will be the moderator.

The Emory event is the third town hall-style event that the Vice Chair is participating in this fall as she continues to gather public views from around the country on the state of elections, money in politics, and the future of our democracy.

Event Information:

Who:                   Ann M. Ravel, Vice Chair, Federal Election Commission
                            Michael Kang, Emory University School of Law
                           Anne Tucker, Associate Professor of Law, Georgia State University

What:                 Public Forum on the Future of Elections and Democracy

When:                Thursday, October 23, 2014, 6:00 p.m. EDT

Where:               Emory University School of Law, Tull Auditorium,
                          1301 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322