Political Science Department to Host Virtual Panels Discussing Issues Related to the Election and Runoffs

686

MACON – Mercer’s Political Science Department is hosting a series of virtual panel discussions on Nov. 18 to share the University’s expertise on issues related to the recent election and upcoming runoffs.

“With multiple political issues facing the United States at the moment, including transition of power, vote recounts and unique general election runoffs in Georgia that will determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, we wanted to explore these topics and more with our campus, community and local media outlets,” said Dr. Chris Grant, professor and chair of political science.

All three moderated discussions are free and open to the public and can be accessed via Zoom. Following each panel, there will be 20 to 25 minutes for Q&A.

The first panel, from 5-5:45 p.m., on “Voters, Outcomes and Changes” will include Dr. Derek Glasgow, assistant professor of political science, and Dr. Grant.

Dr. Glasgow has a background in studying state politics and regulatory policy. He came to Mercer in 2015 from the University of Kansas with expertise in state political and government as well as the U.S. presidency.

Dr. Grant has been studying and writing about politics since 1990. His primary interests are in campaigns and elections – particularly in the U.S. Senate – and his expertise is in Georgia politics and electoral behavior in the U.S.

The second panel, from 5:45-6:30 p.m., on “America and its Politics from Inside and Out” will include Dr. Will Jordan, associate professor of political science, and Dr. Eimad Houry, professor of political science and chair of international and global studies.

Dr. Jordan is co-director of the McDonald Center for America’s Founding Principles at Mercer and an expert on the writing of the U.S. Constitution and the Framers’ intents, including the intent of separation of powers and the design of the Electoral College.

Dr. Houry has served on the University’s faculty for nearly 30 years and is known internationally for his work in the area of peace and international relations. His experience with decision-makers around the world has contributed to his knowledge of international perceptions of the U.S. and comparative electoral systems.

The third and final panel, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., on “Recounts, Runoffs and Maneuvering” will include Cathy Cox, dean of Mercer Law School, Mark Dehler, lecturer of political science, and Dr. Lori Johnson, professor of political science.

Cox, former Georgia secretary of state and president of Young Harris College, is one of the nation’s foremost experts on election security and voting procedures. She moved the largest division of the secretary of state’s office from Atlanta to Macon and instituted Georgia’s first universal electronic voting system to improve the accuracy of the state’s elections, making Georgia the first American state to do so.

Dehler has more than three decades of experience in Georgia politics as an attorney, campaign activist and political spouse. He has taught at Mercer for three years and has expertise in election law and campaign organization.

Dr. Johnson has an extensive background in the area of politics of judicial nomination and confirmation. She teaches constitutional law and has expertise related to the separation of powers and the legal processes available in contesting elections.

About the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Mercer University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences serves as the academic cornerstone of one of America’s oldest and most distinctive institutions of higher learning. The oldest and largest of Mercer’s 12 schools and colleges, it is a diverse and vibrant community, enrolling more than 1,900 students, dedicated to learning and service through the practice of intellectual curiosity, respectful dialog and responsible citizenry. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers majors in more than 30 areas of study, including more than a dozen pre-professional academic tracks, with classes taught by an outstanding faculty of scholars. In 2015, Mercer was awarded a chapter of The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society that recognizes exceptional achievement in the arts and sciences. For more information, visit liberalarts.mercer.edu.