SCiLL to host inaugural event on 2024 election

The UNC School of Civic Life and Leadership is hosting its first event beyond its Program for Public Discourse’s Abbey Speaker series.

The daylong symposium titled “Is Democracy on the Ballot?” will feature distinguished panelists from across the country to discuss the upcoming presidential election. The event will take place on Sept. 27 in the Pleasants Family Assembly Room at Wilson Library and is free and open to the public. Students can receive CLE credit for each panel they attend.

“We’ve all heard pundits say democracy itself is going to be on the ballot when Americans vote this November. SCiLL’s day-long event asks whether this is really true,” said Jed Atkins, SCiLL’s dean and inaugural director. “Some of the nationally-known speakers on these panels contend that democracy is on the ballot if Donald Trump wins, others if Kamala Harris wins, and others will argue that this election does not pose a threat to democracy. By bringing the diverse perspectives of many of our citizens into reasoned, civil and passionate dialogue, SCiLL seeks to help the University educate thoughtful citizens who can speak, live and work in our pluralistic democracy.”

Chancellor Lee H. Roberts will welcome guests at 9:45 a.m. followed by a series of panels.

The panels include:

• 10-11:30 a.m.: Leah Litman, professor of law, University of Michigan; John McGinnis, professor in constitutional law, Northwestern University
• 1-2:30 p.m.: Jeff Sharlet, professor, Dartmouth University; Sarah Rogers, First Amendment attorney; Aaron Sibarium, journalist, Washington Free Beacon
• 3-4:15 p.m.: Shadi Hamid, columnist, The Washington Post
• 4:30-5:45 p.m.: All speaker panel

There will be time after each panel for discussion.

Learn more about the event on the SCiLL website.