Democracy Optimist
Democracy Optimist
Joshua Douglas
Democracy Optimist is a thought-provoking public radio series and podcast that delves deep into the heart of democratic processes, elections, and voting rights to ask a simple but vital question: how do we sustain our democracy? The series is hosted by University of Kentucky Election Law research professor Joshua Douglas, a passionate advocate for civic engagement, and produced by WEKU.
Stephen Richer
Joshua Douglas speaks to Stephen Richer, who served as the County Recorder, administering elections in Maricopa County, Arizona, which includes Phoenix.
May 22, 2025
26 min
Dr. Fernanda Buril
Josh Douglas speaks with Dr. Fernanda Buril, the Deputy Director of the Center for Applied Research and Learning at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.
Feb 27, 2025
26 min
Ben Hovland
Josh Douglas speaks to Ben Hovland, a Commissioner of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Feb 20, 2025
27 min
Democracy Optimist Live Recording Before 2024 Election
We wrap our Democracy Optimist series for 2024 in front of a live audience at the University of Kentucky
Oct 31, 2024
1 hr 2 min
The history of the Voting Rights Act
Joshua Douglas looks at the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Oct 24, 2024
27 min
Jason Kander
Joshua Douglas speaks to Jason Kander who has a particular focus on improving our election system
Oct 17, 2024
25 min
Jennifer Morrell
Joshua Douglas speaks to Jennifer Morrell, CEO and Co-Founder of The Elections Group
Oct 10, 2024
28 min
Kim Wyman
Joshua Douglas speaks to Kim Wyman, senior advisor to the elections project at the Bipartisan Policy Center
Oct 3, 2024
27 min
Trey Greyson
Joshua Douglas speaks to Trey Greyson, former Kentucky Secretary of State and now leader of the Lobbying and Public Policy practice group at the law firm, Frost Brown Todd
Sep 26, 2024
27 min
Carolyn Dupont
Joshua Douglas speaks to Carolyn Dupont, an Associate Professor of History at Eastern Kentucky University and author of Distorting Democracy: The Forgotten History of the Electoral College—and Why It Matters Today
Sep 19, 2024
25 min
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