Constitution Day: Voting Rights History, Access and Laws Discussion

Constitution Day: Voting Rights History, Access and Laws Discussion

The latest USD Votes event took place on Thursday as three University of San Diego professors commemorated the recent Constitution Day recognition (Sept. 17) with a discussion titled, “Rights, Access and Equity: Voting in the United States and the Long March Towards Inclusion.”

Speaking to undergraduate, graduate and law students, faculty and staff in the Pardee Legal Research Center, School of Law Professor Miranda McGowan, JD, and professors Cory Charles Gooding, PhD, and Casey Dominguez, PhD, both in the Political Science and International Relations Department together provided a solid foundation of information.

Gooding focused on voting rights history, including obstacles faced by people of color, women, disabled and many others in society. He offered a poignant reminder about the Constitution’s famous first three words of the preamble, “We the people,” and the importance of making it about “we.”

Dominguez’s talk centered on current voter access issues and state voter identification laws. McGowan spoke on constitution laws in place to protect the right to vote, connected court cases and more.

Thursday’s program is among several free events taking place on campus prior to the November 8 election. The programming schedule includes faculty discussions, presidential and vice president debate viewing parties, a Nov. 1 talk given by Bishop of San Diego Robert W. McElroy and specific issue discussions. Audience members can register to vote at events. Students interested in registering to vote in California must do so by Oct. 24. Out-of-state students who want to vote in their home state should check on registration deadlines because it varies by state.

Thursday's topic and other political discussions tied to the election can also be heard on a free podcast, A few Reasonable Words, that's co-hosted by Dominguez, Gooding and a third USD political professor, Timothy McCarty. Download the podcast on iTunes.

Law Professor McGowan Speaks

Prior to Thursday's Constitution Day event, Professor McGowan spoke on camera with USD News Center's Ryan T. Blystone about voting rights, laws and the need to increase student voter registration and participation.