How do we ensure that elections are free and fair? For the past couple of years, we’ve heard more and more false claims about stolen elections, but the truth is that our election systems are very well-managed. Yes, there are areas where systems can be improved, but among the biggest problems in our election system now are misinformation about the elections and the skepticism that this creates.

In this episode, I speak with Meghan Cook, Program Director of the Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany, and two election experts – Tom Connolly, the Director of Election Operations at the New York State Board of Elections, and Brendan Lovullo, the Deputy Director of Election Operations at the New York State Board of Elections. In our discussion, we talk about how elections are managed in New York State and elsewhere, and we address some common misconceptions head-on. We talk about how votes are counted, how election machines are secured, how election workers address problems that arise, and much more.

Our Article on Teaching about Election Integrity

Our Guests & Related Resources

Megan Cook's Website

Center for Technology in Government at UAlbany

New York State Board of Elections Website


ESD Podcast Resources

Education for Sustainable Democracy Homepage

Brett Levy's Open-Access Research Articles (Free Downloads)

Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!)

YouTube Channel for Education for Sustainable Democracy (Please Subscribe!)

Brett's Twitter Page for Handle @brettlmlevy


Related Episodes of ESD

Building a Movement for Civic Education, with Michael Rebell (Teachers College, Columbia University)

A Congressional Bill to Strengthen Civic Education, with Cat McDonald (DC Lobbyist for Civic Ed)