AUWCL to Co-Host National Democracy Slam 2015

Conference Explores Ideas for Improving America's Elections and Politics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 20, 2015 – AUWCL will co-host National Democracy Slam 2015, a day-long conference on April 22 exploring ideas for improving America's elections and politics. During the event, leading election reform thinkers will discuss 17 reforms to break partisan gridlock and end gerrymandering.

Chuck Todd, NBC’s political director and moderator of “Meet the Press,” will host the final "Democracy Slam" with a high-powered panel. Speakers and judges of the Slam include:

  • Mark Pocan, U.S. Representative (D-WI)
  • John Sarbanes, U.S. Representative (D-MD)
  • Norm Onrstein, resident scholar, American Enterprise Institute
  • William Galston, Ezra K. Zilkha chair in Governance Studies and senior fellow, Brookings Institution
  • Jennifer Lawless, director of the Women & Politics Institute and associate professor, American University
  • John Fortier, director of the Democracy Project, Bipartisan Policy Center
  • Harry Kresky, attorney, Law Office of Harry Kresky
  • Mickey Edwards, former U.S. Representative (R-OK)
  • Rob Richie, executive director, FairVote
  • Jamie Raskin, professor of Law, director of the Program on Law and Government, American University Washington College of Law; Maryland State Senator
  • Mark Schmitt,  director of the Fellows Program, Roosevelt Institute
  • Aaron Blake,  political reporter, Washington Post
  • Melinda Henneberger,  senior writer, Bloomberg News

The event will be webcast, and both in-person and online attendees will have an opportunity to weigh in via a live polling system on each of the 17 electoral reforms that are discussed, with real-time results. View the agenda.

National Democracy Slam 2015 is co-sponsored by the American Constitution Society, Washington College of Law’s Program on Law and Government, American University Legislation & Policy Brief, and FairVote. This event is open to AUWCL alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Learn more.

Media inquiries should be directed to Franki Fitterer, director of public relations, AUWCL ffitterer@wcl.american.edu (email), 202-275-4279 (office), 202-321-6183 (cell).

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In 1896, American University Washington College of Law became the first law school in the country founded by women. More than 100 years since its founding, this law school community is grounded in the values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor. The law school's nationally and internationally recognized programs (in clinical legal education, trial advocacy, international law, and intellectual property to name a few) and dedicated faculty provide its 1500 JD, LL.M., and SJD students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact as students and as graduates, in Washington, D.C. and around the world. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu.

FairVote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that seeks to make democracy fair, functional, and representative by developing the analysis and educational tools necessary for our reform partners to win and sustain improvements to American elections. fairvote.org