How votes in the U.S. are counted and certified (and why you should care)

Impossible Tradeoffs with Katie Harbath

In this episode, Nicole Schneidman discusses the critical processes involved in the electoral system, emphasizing the importance of understanding what happens after voting. She outlines key dates in the election cycle, changes in election laws since 2020, and the journey of a ballot from submission to certification. The discussion also highlights the increased scrutiny and risks faced by election officials, as well as the role of courts in ensuring fair election practices. Nicole discusses the critical aspects of ensuring voter access and election integrity, the role of courts in addressing misinformation and legal challenges, and the importance of monitoring threats and harassment during elections. She explains the distinctions between election officials, poll workers, and poll watchers, and emphasizes the need for tech companies to prepare for the election process. The conversation also delves into the challenges of content moderation in the context of election-related information and concludes with a call for calm and trust in the electoral process.

You can learn more about this period in this post Nicole and I wrote.

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