TED Talks Daily An election redesign to restore trust in US democracy | Tiana Epps-Johnson
6 snips
May 6, 2022 Tiana Epps-Johnson, a technologist passionate about electoral integrity, discusses the crumbling state of U.S. election infrastructure. She highlights the alarming attacks on election officials and the urgent need to modernize voting systems. Epps-Johnson details how the US Alliance for Election Excellence aims to improve trust and accessibility for 240 million voters. With an emphasis on community support and adequate funding, she advocates for collaborative solutions to restore faith in democracy and ensure equitable voting experiences.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Crumbling Infrastructure
- The US election infrastructure, including technology, facilities, and people, is failing.
- This crucial system receives only about 0.5% of county budgets, similar to parking facilities.
Decentralized System
- The US election system is decentralized, with thousands of local departments managing elections independently.
- This results in vastly different voting experiences across the country.
Outdated Technology
- In 2020, a small New England town used a hand-cranked ballot box from the early 1900s.
- One box was even held together with duct tape, highlighting the outdated technology.