National Coliseum Debate – Voting in America

** This event is open to the media upon approval. Media contact: Ciaran O’Connor, ciaran@braverangels.org

America’s voting laws have become a point of fierce and painful contention, with each side accusing the other of undermining democracy.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 1, a sweeping set of federal election reforms purporting to increase access in areas including vote by mail, early voting, and voter registration.

Meanwhile, Republican-led legislatures in dozens of states have proposed or passed laws purporting to secure election integrity through stricter verification of voter identity and eligibility and tightening rules around early voting and ballot handling.

Beneath the surface of these policy debates are accusations of voter suppression and voter fraud, as well as differing conservative and liberal visions of voting and democracy.

On May 25th, Braver Angels will bring together an all-star panel of media personalities, influencers, and politicians — across the ideological spectrum — to debate this critical topic and cast their vision for our democracy, in our debate on the Resolution: “Pass H.R.1.”

Speakers will include:

Affirmative:

Osita Nwanevu – The New Republic

Zach Beauchamp – Vox Media

Sheba Williams – Activist for the formerly incarcerated, founder of Nolef Turns

Negative:

Kaylee McGhee White – The Washington Examiner

Sarah Longwell – Publisher, the Bulwark

Elliot Gaiser – Election lawyer

Dennis A. Ross – member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida from 2011-2019.

Additional speakers will be announced.

All guests will have the opportunity to submit questions via registration and during the event. The event will be conducted as a webinar format on Zoom.

Note: this event is free, but many attendees generously choose to donate to support our work.