The 2024 presidential elections are right around the corner, and with it comes a lot of misinformation and adversity to the voting process, threatening the country’s democracy. In a media briefing on November 10, hosted by Ethnic Media Services, experts gathered to discuss the potential for a constitutional crisis in the United States leading up to the 2024 presidential elections.

Speakers

  • Seth Masket, Professor, Department of Political Science, Director of the Center for American Politics at the University of Denver
  • Aziz Z. Huq, Scholar of United States and Comparative Constitutional Law, University of Chicago Law School
  • Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, Professor of Constitutional Law, John Jay College (CUNY), author, playwright, writer/host of Emmy Award winning animated series “Your Democracy”

The discussion started by addressing the decline in local news media and its impact. Seth Masket had “seen a steady decline in the number of local newspapers covering local elections or state politics.” A lack of coverage of important issues that affect local communities can be detrimental with smaller communities not being heard.

Gloria J Browne-Marshall emphasized the importance of understanding the role of state court judges in American democracy. She noted that “it’s very important for us to understand from criminal justice to family court to our basic rights medical malpractice or anything else what these state court judges are doing what their backgrounds are.” Understanding the role of state court judges is crucial to ensuring that American democracy remains intact.

Aziz Huq discussed the potential for rising authoritarian sentiments in the United States, which could contribute to a constitutional crisis. He noted that “the history that Gloria has identified and put back on the table is a really important one in thinking about where what kind of paths we’re likely to see under certain versions of the future.” Understanding the historical precedents for a constitutional crisis is crucial to recognizing the signs of a potential crisis.

The panelists emphasized the importance of the media in covering potential constitutional crises. Pilar noted that “reporters, journalists, especially in the ethnic media” have a crucial role to play in covering these issues. She asked the panelists what kinds of stories the media should be covering in the upcoming year to ensure that their communities are informed about potential constitutional crises.

Seth Masket emphasized the importance of covering local elections and state politics, with people increasingly getting “their news from national news sources from CNN or the New York Times or the Washington Post.” Local election coverage outlines the type of legislation people of those communities want. Local media has the job of informing local communities about the issues that affect them. But it works both ways, with the responsibility of voicing the issues of the local communities.

Gloria J Browne-Marshall emphasized the importance of covering state court judges and their backgrounds. She noted that “if you can cover some of the criminal cases outcomes that you could cover in your news broadcast or papers.” Understanding the decisions made by state court judges is crucial to ensuring that American democracy remains intact.

Aziz Huq emphasized the importance of covering rising authoritarian sentiments in the United States. “We need to be looking at the kinds of things that are happening in the world that are contributing to the rise of authoritarianism.” Grasping what authoritarianism is and how it brings about a constitutional crisis is a crucial first step to avoiding one.

The minds of tomorrow are going to be voting today, which is why Gen-Z outreach is so crucial. Pilar noted that “Gen-Z is a generation that is very interested in social justice issues.” She asked the panelists how Gen-Z could contribute to bracing American democracy so that it remains intact.

Masket said it all with how “Gen-Z is a generation that is very interested in activism and social justice.” He calls for Gen-Z to get involved in local politics and elections. “If we can get more young people involved in local politics,” with their fresh outlook on social reforms, the possibilities are unimaginable. Gloria J Browne-Marshall voices that they “need to understand how the courts work and how they can use the courts to protect their rights.” Aziz Huq responded by calling for the understanding of historical precedents for a constitutional crisis.

The experts highlighted the importance of local news media, understanding the role of state court judges, recognizing the signs of rising authoritarianism, and the role of Gen-Z in the upcoming presidential election. Media covers issues and ensures that local communities are informed about the issues that affect them, while also voicing their main concerns up to the government. Gen-Z are getting involved in local politics, so now than ever is it crucial they know their rights and a basic understanding of how the government operates. All the citizens have to put in the work, understanding what their vote truly means, we can ensure that American democracy remains intact and that our rights are protected for generations to come.