In an episode exploring the evolution of voting practices in America, the shift from public voting in lively town gatherings to private ballot booths is examined. The Founding Fathers originally paid little attention to the specifics of how citizens would cast their votes. This transformation over time reflects shifts in design and intended participants, with key moments that redefined the voting process.
The discussion features insights from several experts: Carol Anderson, a professor at Emory University and author of “One Person No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy”; Jill Lepore, a Harvard professor, staff writer for The New Yorker, and host of “The Last Archive” podcast; Richard J. Carwardine, Rhodes Professor Emeritus of American history and author of “Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power”; and Andrew W. Robertson, a professor at the Graduate Center at City University of New York and author of “The Language of Democracy: Political Rhetoric in the United States and Britain, 1790–1900.”
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