Politics + Society – The Conversation – US Presidential election, Congress and political issues

A man carries a child as he and others walk past law enforcement officers and police vehicles in a crowded parking lot

A man carries a child as he and others walk past law enforcement officers and police vehicles in a crowded parking lot

Young voters fear mass shootings like the one in Oregon, but that fear divides them on gun control

Jillian Turanovic, University of Colorado Boulder and Kristin Lloyd, Clemson University

Ballot boxes covered in American flags.

Ballot boxes covered in American flags.

Why the 26 secretary of state races this November matter more than they did before Trump’s drive to assert federal authority over elections

Thom Reilly, Arizona State University

Why the GOP’s voter fraud messaging may backfire

Christopher Miller, University of Richmond

A bumper sticker in a post reads 'Stop Voter Fraud.'

A bumper sticker in a post reads 'Stop Voter Fraud.'

Republicans can confirm a Supreme Court justice if Democrats take the Senate, but at what cost?

Paul M. Collins Jr., UMass Amherst

A view of a federal building in the background with large columns in the foreground.

A view of a federal building in the background with large columns in the foreground.

In newly independent US, Americans debated whether public executions taught a lesson or just showed off the state’s power to destroy

Maurizio Valsania, Università di Torino

A crowd of people in an 18th century scene of a public hanging.

A crowd of people in an 18th century scene of a public hanging.

I’ve been studying election integrity for 26 years, and here’s why I expect a normal election this November instead of chaos

Justin Levitt, Loyola Law School Los Angeles

A crowd of people at a rally with some holding a sign that says 'HANDS OFF OUR ELECTIONS.'

A crowd of people at a rally with some holding a sign that says 'HANDS OFF OUR ELECTIONS.'

Why the Paramount-Warner merger is a problem for democracy

Seth Ashley, Colorado State University

Several people stand in front of a large billboard in a city square.

Several people stand in front of a large billboard in a city square.

Democrats distance themselves from trans rights – close midterm races may show whether that pays off

Dorian Rhea Debussy, The Ohio State University

A Pride flag is held above a large crowd with a domed building in the background.

A Pride flag is held above a large crowd with a domed building in the background.

When abortion and surrogacy law collide, contracts can’t answer the hardest questions

Sonia Suter, George Washington University and Naomi Cahn, University of Virginia

A pregnant person in a hospital gown and wristband, with an IV taped to one hand, rests in a hospital bed.

A pregnant person in a hospital gown and wristband, with an IV taped to one hand, rests in a hospital bed.

Across the US, people don’t want data centers coming to their communities

Neha Gour, George Mason University; John Kotcher, George Mason University, and Teresa Myers, George Mason University

A large building is under construction.

A large building is under construction.

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Midterms 2026

A 'VOTE HERE" sign in three languages, at a polling place.

A 'VOTE HERE" sign in three languages, at a polling place.

What the law says about armed officers at polling places

Danielle Friedman, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Meet the ‘independent voters’ who will likely decide which party triumphs in the 2026 midterm elections

Julio Borquez, University of Michigan-Dearborn

Three people stand in front of voting booths.

Three people stand in front of voting booths.

These state supreme court races could decide abortion access and trans rights

Rachel Rebouché, The University of Texas at Austin

A polling station is seen with two voting booths with American flags and the word 'vote' on them.

A polling station is seen with two voting booths with American flags and the word 'vote' on them.

We’ve tracked $80M of spending on almost 170 AI-generated political ads this year – it’s weird

Travis N. Ridout, Washington State University; Erika Franklin Fowler, Wesleyan University, and Michael Franz, Bowdoin College

A wall of video screens shows various images, with the word 'REAL' in the upper left corner and 'FAKE' in the lower right.

A wall of video screens shows various images, with the word 'REAL' in the upper left corner and 'FAKE' in the lower right.

How Trump’s disaster aid delays and FEMA cuts could galvanize the ‘movable middle’ in the 2026 elections

Dana R. Fisher, American University School of International Service

Wood from a home is scattered over the top of trucks and the ground after a tornado. What remains of the home -- tilted walls with no roof -- is barely recognizable.

Wood from a home is scattered over the top of trucks and the ground after a tornado. What remains of the home -- tilted walls with no roof -- is barely recognizable.

Armed poll watchers: New Jersey’s 1981 racist voter intimidation campaign is a cautionary tale ahead of 2026 midterms

Mark Krasovic, Rutgers University - Newark

A finger with I TRIED TO VOTE TODAY sticker on it.

A finger with I TRIED TO VOTE TODAY sticker on it.

Primary voters are unrepresentative, inconsistent and very powerful

Robert Boatright, Clark University; Institute for Humane Studies

A stooped man in an aqua shirt wearing a red cap, entering a large hall.

A stooped man in an aqua shirt wearing a red cap, entering a large hall.

Up-and-down progress of voting rights in America has been shaped by these 10 key moments

Gibbs Knotts, Coastal Carolina University and Christopher A. Cooper, Western Carolina University

A group of people waiting to vote in a long line outside a country store named the 'Sugar Shack.'

A group of people waiting to vote in a long line outside a country store named the 'Sugar Shack.'

The White House & Congress

Delegates at a curved table watch Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on video screens.

Delegates at a curved table watch Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on video screens.

Trump wants an AI Force like Space Force, but that could make AI’s risks harder to manage

Jason M. Blazakis, Middlebury College

Trump frames unregulated AI as a way to keep ahead of China – but in fact, it harms US national security

Stephen Collins, Kennesaw State University

Two men walk down a white path next to a green lawn.

Two men walk down a white path next to a green lawn.

Other presidents have let white-collar criminals dodge financial penalties – but not like Trump

Caren Morrison, Georgia State University

A man in a suit sits at a desk in front of flags and holds up an open folder with a signed document inside.

A man in a suit sits at a desk in front of flags and holds up an open folder with a signed document inside.

How Trump’s crypto winnings undermined the industry’s push for looser regulation

Lee Reiners, Duke University

As presidential candidate, Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

As presidential candidate, Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

Pete Hegseth is rebuilding the Army’s ‘brass ceiling’

Jeremiah Favara, Gonzaga University

Dan Driscoll, Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump walk together across a tarmac.

Dan Driscoll, Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump walk together across a tarmac.

Security clearances don’t determine whom a president can trust – they reveal risks the president may not know

Brian O'Neill, Georgia Institute of Technology

President Donald Trump walks across a tarmac, followed by several others, including Natalie Harp at right.

President Donald Trump walks across a tarmac, followed by several others, including Natalie Harp at right.

The Pentagon is using polygraphs to hunt leakers, but the tests are more theater than fact

Brian O'Neill, Georgia Institute of Technology

A person's right hand rests on a table; three of their fingers are connected to a polygraph machine.

A person's right hand rests on a table; three of their fingers are connected to a polygraph machine.

What comes next for the 1 million people who have lost – or will soon lose – Temporary Protected Status

Jean Lantz Reisz, University of Southern California

People at a rally hold signs that say 'permanent status for immigrant families' and 'TPS holders make the US stronger.'

People at a rally hold signs that say 'permanent status for immigrant families' and 'TPS holders make the US stronger.'

Race, Identity & Society

A dark-colored painting shows a balding man with a white beard, holding a book and wearing a brown cloak.

A dark-colored painting shows a balding man with a white beard, holding a book and wearing a brown cloak.

Today’s irreverent politics ignore ancient wisdom: The need to know your limits

Robert A. Ballingall, University of Maine

Why the assault weapons debate is a culture debate

Robert Spitzer, State University of New York Cortland

An image of an assault rifle in crosshairs with a red background.

An image of an assault rifle in crosshairs with a red background.

White nationalism’s appeal runs deeper than partisan politics

Patrick Egan, New York University; James Bisbee, Vanderbilt University, and Joshua A. Tucker, New York University

Men in white face coverings, dark jackets and khaki pants stand in a line holding flags in front of the Washington Monument as another man walks past.

Men in white face coverings, dark jackets and khaki pants stand in a line holding flags in front of the Washington Monument as another man walks past.

The trouble with Flock cameras is the surveillance system’s architecture, not just some of its users

Henry F. Fradella, Arizona State University

Several cameras are attached to a light post as clouds and blue sky appear in the background.

Several cameras are attached to a light post as clouds and blue sky appear in the background.

Dan Rather has followed the news wherever he goes, in a career that highlights 75 years of evolving journalism

Walter Podrazik, University of Illinois Chicago

A man in a shirt and tie sits at a news desk, holding cue cards, with a producer standing beside him.

A man in a shirt and tie sits at a news desk, holding cue cards, with a producer standing beside him.

AI tools can help Americans meet their civil legal needs

Ellen Murphy, Wake Forest University

An illustration of a person pressing on a clear screen with a justice symbol on it.

An illustration of a person pressing on a clear screen with a justice symbol on it.

How the American revolt against Flock cameras mirrors the Boston Tea Party of 1773

G. Patrick O'Brien, University of Tampa

A camera on a stand and blue sky.

A camera on a stand and blue sky.

Americans agree their democracy is in crisis – yet the solution is as simple as it is elusive

Kenneth Michael White, Kennesaw State University

A tattered U.S. flag hangs from a pole mounted to the side of a gray building.

A tattered U.S. flag hangs from a pole mounted to the side of a gray building.

Courts & the Constitution

An ambulance drives through a gated entrance at night.

An ambulance drives through a gated entrance at night.

Christa Pike survived a lethal injection attempt – the latest person to endure a failed execution

Austin Sarat, Amherst College

Originalism: What it is, what it isn’t and why it’s the most democratic option for the Supreme Court

Brian Fitzpatrick, Vanderbilt University

A dark-haired man with glasses, standing on a lawn and wearing a black robe.

A dark-haired man with glasses, standing on a lawn and wearing a black robe.

How due process, not the First Amendment, got the White House ban on reporters blocked in court

Wayne Unger, Quinnipiac University

A woman stands on a street corner in front of a television news camera and other broadcast equipment.

A woman stands on a street corner in front of a television news camera and other broadcast equipment.

After Supreme Court setback, Trump again targets immigration by expanding definition of birthright citizenship

Austin Sarat, Amherst College

A man seated at a desk speaks as another many standing in the background looks at him.

A man seated at a desk speaks as another many standing in the background looks at him.

Texas prosecutors are calling a teenage shooting spree ‘terrorism’ – the case could reshape American criminal law

Art Jipson, University of Dayton

Flags representing the U.S. and Texas fly outside the State Capitol in Austin, Texas

Flags representing the U.S. and Texas fly outside the State Capitol in Austin, Texas

Is withholding federal counterterrorism funds from states – as FEMA has threatened – legal?

Austin Sarat, Amherst College

A close up of a federal building.

A close up of a federal building.

When can a power company take your land for data center infrastructure?

Aaron Walayat, University of Dayton

Transmission towers and power lines above a hillside neighborhood

Transmission towers and power lines above a hillside neighborhood

After 1776, the founders designed a government that accounts for ‘a degree of depravity in mankind’

Donovan Fifield, University of South Carolina

An American flag, with only 13 stars, arrayed in a circle.

An American flag, with only 13 stars, arrayed in a circle.

State & Local Government

A sign encouraging people to vote hangs from the facade of a building

A sign encouraging people to vote hangs from the facade of a building

Philly voters care about local issues, but election integrity fears make them wonder if their vote matters

Heather LaMarre, Temple University

Murder of Black suffrage leader Octavius Catto reveals why Election Day 1871 was one of the most violent in Philadelphia history

Timothy Welbeck, Temple University

Chest and head of statue of man wearing 19th Century attire

Chest and head of statue of man wearing 19th Century attire

More than 119 million Brazilians voted in the Oct. 4 election – including about 21,000 Florida residents

Rafael R. Ioris, University of Denver

a woman signs a piece of paper while a man sitting at a table holds her id card

a woman signs a piece of paper while a man sitting at a table holds her id card

The oil market that sets today’s gas prices was invented in western Pennsylvania

Brian C. Black, Penn State

A group of businessmen in a black and white photo.

A group of businessmen in a black and white photo.

2026 midterms could be the end of Pennsylvania’s split legislature, with effects on affordability, election reform, marijuana and more

Daniel J. Mallinson, Penn State

A sheet of stickers that say 'I VOTED!'

A sheet of stickers that say 'I VOTED!'

Can development happen without displacement? Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood is a test case

Ira Goldstein, University of Pennsylvania

A neighborhood of older homes surrounded by a hill and trees.

A neighborhood of older homes surrounded by a hill and trees.

1 in 2 Florida residents live in HOAs – how these private governments are reshaping the American Dream

Stephanie A. Dhuman, Hamilton College

A photo of a central Florida neighborhood street, including several homes, parked cars and palm trees.

A photo of a central Florida neighborhood street, including several homes, parked cars and palm trees.

Pennsylvania’s skill games are officially gambling – so should they be at every gas station?

Jonathan Caulkins, Carnegie Mellon University

Gambling machines sit inside a building.

Gambling machines sit inside a building.

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