
The Voting Booth
AEI’s John Fortier and EAC Commissioner Don Palmer pull back the curtain of the Voting Booth to reveal the inner workings of elections. They are joined by Secretaries of State, local election officials, scholars, and lawyers to examine the issues leading the 2024 elections.
Latest episodes

Mar 5, 2024 • 39min
What Goes into Running a Smooth Election? (with Thad Hall)
Co-hosts John Fortier and Don Palmer are joined by Thad Hall, Director of the Voter Registration and Election Bureau in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.

Feb 20, 2024 • 42min
The South Carolina Primary, Explained (with Howard Knapp)
Co-hosts John Fortier and Don Palmer are joined by Howard Knapp, Executive Director of the South Carolina Election Commission.

Feb 15, 2024 • 48min
Can Trump Stay on the Ballot? Recapping Trump v. Anderson (with Rick Hasen and Derek Muller)
Exploring Trump's eligibility to run for president amid insurrection concerns, with insights on the potential chaos in future elections. Delving into the complexities of presidential eligibility, state discretion, and the need for clarity. Advocating for a constitutional amendment for voting rights and sharing personal stories in the realm of election law and a transformative AI summer honors program.

Feb 6, 2024 • 43min
How Redistricting and Recounts Affect Election Administration (with E. Mark Braden)
Co-hosts John Fortier and Don Palmer are joined by E. Mark Braden, Of Counsel at BakerHostetler, to discuss how the redistricting and recount processes effect the administration of our elections.

Jan 16, 2024 • 32min
The New Hampshire Primary, Explained (with David Scanlan)
Co-hosts John Fortier and Don Palmer are joined by David Scanlan, Secretary of State of New Hampshire, to discuss the New Hampshire primary.

Jan 2, 2024 • 39min
The Iowa Caucuses, Explained (with Alan Ostergren)
Co-hosts John Fortier and Don Palmer are joined by Alan Ostergren, an election law attorney in Iowa, to discuss the Iowa caucuses.

Dec 19, 2023 • 24min
What Does the Election Assistance Commission Do? Part 2 (with Benjamin Hovland)
Co-hosts John Fortier and Don Palmer are joined by Benjamin Hovland, Commissioner on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

Dec 5, 2023 • 31min
What Does the Election Assistance Commission Do? Part 1 (with Christy McCormick)
Co-hosts John Fortier and Don Palmer are joined by Christy McCormick, Commissioner on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

Nov 21, 2023 • 32min
Making Elections Work during Emergency Situations (with Mark Earley)
Co-hosts John Fortier and Don Palmer are joined by Mark Earley, Supervisor of Elections of Leon County (FL).

Nov 7, 2023 • 41min
Keeping Elections Secure from Foreign Interference (with Maggie Toulouse Oliver)
Co-hosts John Fortier and Don Palmer are joined by Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Secretary of State of New Mexico.