February 14, 2024
ICDD and political science to host non-partisan speaker series
Political discussions get serious during a presidential election year, and the tension discourages some from talking politics with others. This prevents people from learning and clarifying their opinions, which disadvantages new voters.
The Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy, or ICDD, and K-State department of political science are co-hosting a speaker series to lighten up our political conversations and make them smarter at the same time.
The series will be held at Manhattan Brewing Company, 406 Poyntz Ave., to emphasize the social nature of voting and encourage conversation. K-State faculty will offer expert, non-partisan information on election topics.
Nathaniel Birkhead, associate professor and head of political science, will discuss myths and realities of voter fraud at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. All members of the K-State community are welcome.
Colene Lind, associate professor in the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication and director of ICDD, says that providing relaxed spaces to learn about voting not only offers needed information but also models a cultural expectation to listen, ask, learn and vote.
"I find that many people, and especially students, are wary of someone trying to influence their vote choice, but at the same time most don't know where to find quality information," Lind said. "People need to read and think for themselves about their candidate preferences, but voting is not an exam. You cannot study a textbook in an isolation chamber and ace it. An informed vote requires that you communicate with other people to learn what's important to them and to you and why."
Watch for announcements about future events, which will be held the third Thursdays of March and April.