Democracy Matters — A series of events about democratic engagement and the 2024 election

Just in time for the 2024 election comes Democracy Matters@Willamette, a series of lectures, panel discussions, and community activities and events that explore and encourage democratic participation.

Willamette faculty, student organizations, and university leaders representing all five of Willamette colleges and schools have organized events that will explore issues of democracy, politics, and government from every angle and discuss important issues that are at stake in democracies around the world, including LGBTQ civil rights, racial justice, immigration policy, the role of data in law and civil rights, and political polarization.

Democracy Matters also aims to encourage civic engagement by hosting voter registration drives and information sessions on Willamette's Salem and Portland campuses. The series will also feature discussions on 2024 Oregon ballot measures, including Ranked-Choice Voting.

"In 2024, the election season is global," said Carol Long, Provost and Senior Vice President. "Over the next few weeks, we have the opportunity to approach this global experience with curiosity, excitement, and empathy, and to demonstrate our commitment to learning and dialogue across differences."

The event series will continue into Spring 2025.

Note: some events are open to the public. Please check the Willamette Events Calendar for full event information.

Democracy Matters Events

Community Voter Registration at PNCA

Part of First Thursdays series at PNCA

Oct. 3

Voter Education Week

Rank Choice Voting Exercise & Voter Information

Oct. 7-11

Oct. 11

with Meghan Maury, Chief of Staff for the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs

Oct. 16

National Early Voter Day

Oct. 29

Related Democracy Events

With Professor José Cortez, Assistant Professor of English and Latinx Studies at the University of Oregon

Sept. 30

With James McSpadden, Assistant Professor of History, and Jean Sanford Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at the University of Nevada, Reno

Oct. 24

Oct. 24

Oct. 26

Nov. 7-9

The Urgent Work of Radical Belonging: A Lecture with Rev. Ben McBride

Lectures at PNCA and the Salem Campus

Nov. 12

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