The year 2024 is an important one for elections at home and around the world. This year the U.S. will join more than 50 countries around the world holding national elections. While the full slate of elections is indicative of global growth in the regularity of multiparty elections since the 1990s, democracy advocates are concerned that these elections are occurring under increasingly illiberal conditions. In other countries, such as France and the Netherlands, others are concerned about how committed right-wing parties are to democratic norms. These elections raise two important questions that this roundtable addresses. First, what do recent election results say about the stability of democracy and democratic norms globally in the post pandemic era? Second, where does the U.S. stand in terms of democratic credentials given challenges to the election machinery at the local and national level?

In this roundtable, the Arizona Policy Lab brings together four experts at the University of Arizona School of Government and Public Policy on democracy and US politics to discuss these questions. Professors Suzanne Dovi and Paul Schuler will discuss elections from a global perspective, giving their insights on the degree to which backsliding is occurring. Professor Paulette Kurzer will focus on recent elections in Europe, particularly France, Sweden and the EU to assess the degree to which they demonstrate democratic resilience. Finally, Professor Chad Westerland will address changes to US elections legally and administratively to assess the degree to which they remain truly competitive. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions after the short remarks by the panelists. Register to attend online or in-person.