Politics and Government

Environmental groups have become some of the biggest spenders in U.S. politics this election. Washington is no exception. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is interviewed.

The final days of campaign season come just as coronavirus infection rates rise, something that likely wouldn’t have a big impact on results in Washington with voters using an established mail-in system. In other states, it’s been a scramble to redesign voting systems and change voting behavior. James Long, associate professor of political science at the UW, is interviewed.

There’s been a massive surge of voting, with less than 48 hours until Election Day. Right now, 72% percent of King County ballots are already in. James Long, associate professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Incumbent Democrat Kim Schrier is being challenged by Republican Jesse Jensen to represent the 8th Congressional District, east of Seattle. Unlike a lot of American politics in 2020, one big theme in the race is bipartisanship. But what does bipartisanship mean in a hyper-partisan age? Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the UW, is interviewed.

When people ask Lin Hongxuan why he studies the history of a community he’s not part of, his answer can be very simple: the history hasn’t been told. But there’s a more complicated answer, too. It’s dangerous for people within this particular community to tell their history.

With Election Day less than a week away, the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter on Tuesday appeared virtually before a Senate panel where lawmakers grilled them over their influence in the election and a once-obscure law that has drawn criticism from Republicans and Democrats. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

Everyone seems divided on issues like race, identity, economics, law and order, and public health, and it feels like we’re fractured beyond repair. But take heed, worried nation, we’ve been here before. Sort of. Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

“2020: The Course” gives students an opportunity to hear from UW professors and special guests who will discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, race in the United States, the state of the environment, the economic recession, civic participation, citizenship and this election season and outcomes.

It’s not even Election Day, but Washington voters want their voices heard. On Thursday, the Washington Secretary of State’s office announced that 60.8% of ballots have been received. James Long, associate professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Even as residents of Earth grapple with a global pandemic, our work in space continues. At the UW, the Space Policy and Research Center — SPARC for short — brings together researchers, policymakers and industry professionals each year to discuss the challenges of human presence and endeavors in space.

Much like what’s happening today, the 2004 Washington gubernatorial race was littered with allegations of fraud, protests, court cases and questions raised about mail-in ballots. Election day was on Nov. 2, 2004. The race wouldn’t truly be over until June 7, after a Chelan County Superior Court judge ruled in Christine Gregoire’s favor for the position. Mark Smith, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

It’s the most expensive race in Washington’s 2020 election. In Washington’s 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington, Republican incumbent Jaime Herrera Beutler is fighting for a sixth term against second-time Democrat challenger Carolyn Long. Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, are interviewed.

The University of Washington’s Center for Human Rights plans to file public records requests with local governments and law enforcement agencies to monitor immigration enforcement and activity in the state.

“Unfair, deceptive and abusive practices” by tech giants Google and Facebook have suffocated local news outlets, contributing to a critical deficit of trustworthy local journalism, according to a new minority report from the Senate Commerce Committee released by ranking member Sen. Maria Cantwell. Adrienne Russell, professor of communication and co-director of the UW Center for Journalism, Media and Democracy, is quoted.

How the country has arrived at its current circumstances and what can be done to move forward as a nation were the main themes of an Oct 21 lecture Francis gave called “Protests for the Soul of a Nation.”