What’s Next for Voting? Still Marching Toward the Mountaintop
301 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis,
MN
55455
One of the 10 Demands from the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was comprehensive civil rights legislation guaranteeing the right to vote for all Americans. August 2023 marked the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, and July 2, 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act, which provided many protections for voting rights.
As the United States moves toward a consequential election, “What’s Next for Voting?: Still Marching Toward the Mountaintop”, a hybrid event, is an opportunity for those who care about voting to gather and become inspired to renew a commitment to protecting voting rights and maximizing voting in all elections. Collectively, we will reflect on advancements in voting rights since the March on Washington, explore efforts in Minnesota and elsewhere to expand voting rights and access to voting, and discuss barriers to voting such as apathy, misinformation, and voter suppression.
Participants in this event will help create tangible suggestions for combating voter apathy and misinformation, encouraging young people to register to vote and vote in all elections, and supporting the electoral process beyond voting that they can implement, which can be shared with the community.
Panel Discussion & Working Lunch
The opening panel discussion will focus on the following: voting rights advancements since the March on Washington and the adoption of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 at national and local levels; setbacks to voting rights, including recent efforts that seek to limit access to voting rights; recent efforts to expand voting rights and make it easier for people to vote. Panelists will engage with the audience through a Q&A session.
Following the panel, guests will enjoy boxed lunches and dive into dynamic, facilitated conversations at their tables. These discussions will center around critical questions designed to spark meaningful dialogue and uncover actionable steps. By the end of the event, you'll leave with concrete strategies and a renewed sense of purpose, ready to make an immediate impact on the fight for voting rights in your community.
** Those participating remotely will be able to experience the panel discussion and participate in the Q&A. Remote guests will also respond to questions during the lunch and their responses will be shared out at the live event.
Registration is required to participate in either the in-person or virtual format.
Co-Presenter: Minnesota Humanities Center
Moderator:
Kevin Lindsey has been the CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center since June of 2019. As an attorney, he has successfully litigated and argued numerous cases on appeal in state and federal court. Immediately prior to joining MHC, Lindsey served as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in Governor Mark Dayton’s cabinet where increased the effectiveness of the Department and helped to secure passage of legislation benefitting historically marginalized communities. Lindsey has been honored with Iowa Law Review Distinguished Alumni Award, the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts Civitas Award, Minnesota Lawyer award, and the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers President Award. He currently serves as the Board Chair of the African American Leadership Forum and Wonderlust Theater. Lindsey is a board member of the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the St. Paul Public Housing Authority. He was recently elected as President of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers in June of 2024.
Panelists:
Michael D. Minta is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He received a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He specializes in congressional politics, interest groups, and race and ethnic politics. Dr. Minta regularly teaches courses in U.S. government pertaining to African American politics, congressional politics, and interest group advocacy.
Steve Simon (JD '96) is Minnesota’s 22nd Secretary of State. He was sworn into office on January 5, 2015, and as Minnesota’s chief elections administrator pledged in his inaugural address to “work with anyone, of any political affiliation, from any part of our state” to protect, defend, and strengthen the right to vote in Minnesota.
As Secretary of State, he partners with township, city, and county officials to organize elections on behalf of Minnesota’s nearly four million eligible voters, and to ensure that the election system is fair.
Michelle Witte (BA '88, psychology) serves as the Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Minnesota, founded in 1919 to further empower voters and defend democracy after the passage of the 19th Amendment which expanded votes for women. Michelle has served as ED since 2017, and is deeply passionate about serving voters through our vibrant nonpartisan organization, committed to civic engagement through the work of 35 community-based chapters with more than 2,300 members here in Minnesota, and more than 800 chapters throughout the United States. Michelle is a CLA graduate of the University of Minnesota, has a Public Affairs Fellowship from the Coro Foundation, and has followed the proud League tradition of women serving in government, having served as an elected school board member for South Washington County Schools. When not working on our democracy, Michelle enjoys being active in her Woodbury community with her husband Eric and rescue dog Kiwi, and spending time with her 2 adult daughters.
What's Next? Roundtable Series
The College of Liberal Arts is hosting a series of roundtable discussions with community leaders and advocates that ask "What's Next for the Dream?" These discussions will explore where we are nationally and locally with regard to some of the demands put forward at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his historic "I Have A Dream" speech.