Please join us Thursday October 24th, 2024 at 3:30p for our Democracy Speaker Series featuring Dr. Gabriel Sanchez of the UNM Department of Political Science. Dr. Sanchez's talk title, and abstract are below.

Ortega Hall is located on main campus near the Duck Pond and the closest public parking is in the Cornell parking structure on Central Ave or metered parking along Central Ave. Please see the UNM Campus map for more detailed information. This series is free and open to the public. 

Title: American Democracy in Peril?

Abstract: This lecture will draw largely from survey data from the last two election cycles to evaluate the prospects of American democracy being able to sustain what is likely to be a very close and potentially contentious election in November. The data suggests that many Americans feel democracy is not working for them and the future of our democracy is in jeopardy. The discussion will be led by Dr. Gabriel Sanchez, a nationally recognized expert in the voting behavior and policy attitudes of the U.S. electorate. The discussion will include analysis of how racial diversity has unfortunately led to fear among Americans that is leading to more conservative policy attitudes and has even influenced the way many Americans view arguably the biggest threat to American democracy in our nation’s history, the January 6th insurrection.