Un curso oportuno de la Universidad de Washington explora las vulnerabilidades de las elecciones estadounidenses.

El curso se llama "Cómo robar una elección a>", aunque el profesor de ciencias políticas que imparte la clase, James Long, señala que el subtítulo es "Una advertencia, no una guía de cómo hacerlo".

Long cree que los estadounidenses pueden haber pasado por alto las flaquezas de las elecciones del país hasta 2016, cuando las campañas de desinformación e interferencia rusa expusieron las debilidades de los sistemas electorales.

"Si bien todo esto es cierto, también es cierto que muchos otros países han enfrentado estos problemas y Estados Unidos los ha enfrentado históricamente," dice Long. "Por eso, la clase trata de recordarles que no estamos solos en el mundo y que no siempre estamos solos en los problemas que enfrentamos."

Long dice que el nombre del curso se inspiró en un libro llamado <> (Cómo amañar una elección), que trata sobre el fraude electoral en todo el mundo, y el llamado movimiento Stop the Steal después de las elecciones de 2020, el cual llevó a los partidarios de Trump a asaltar el Capitolio de Estados Unidos para tratar de evitar que el Congreso contara los votos del colegio electoral.

Long afirma que, con suerte, las elecciones de 2020 sirvieron de lección a los estadounidenses.

Sin embargo, señala que este año Estados Unidos podría vivir un periodo desestabilizador entre el día de las elecciones y el día de la toma de posesión, especialmente debido al aumento de las amenazas contra trabajadores electorales, legisladores y jueces.

"La intimidación y la violencia que han sufrido antes y las amenazas que se han presentado contra ellos es algo que me preocupa mucho," dice Long. "Por eso creo que es responsabilidad de todos relajarse y no dejar que esa ansiedad conduzca a la violencia y cosas por el estilo."

Sin embargo, Long señala que, aunque 2020 puede haber sido un punto bajo, ha notado menos cinismo por parte de los estudiantes respecto de las elecciones de 2024. Espera que se haya producido una corrección en la forma en que la gente percibe el proceso democrático.

"Empiezo la clase diciendo que la razón por la que hablamos de robar una elección es porque merece la pena hacerlo," asegura Long. "Merece la pena porque la democracia es algo bueno y la democracia no siempre es perfecta -rara vez es perfecta y no siempre es algo bueno para todas las personas al mismo nivel-, pero es mejor que cualquier otra alternativa."

El apoyo para este informe fue proporcionado por The Carnegie Corporation of New York.



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With the Independence Day holiday weekend here, North Dakotans might be out at parades, fireworks shows and barbecues. However, new polling indicates that many Americans are struggling to feel optimistic about the state of the country.

A new Gallup survey shows 58% of U.S. adults say they're proud to be an American. While there are some partisan splits, the overall percentage is a record low for the annual poll question.

Barbara Headrick, president of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, said it's not surprising, given the sharp divides between the two major parties. But she feels there's something else at play.

"There is still an after effect, I believe, from the pandemic from that separation from each other that we had," she said.

That the pandemic was so politicized is another complicating factor that prevented the country from healing, Headrick said, adding that it's understandable some Americans are very concerned about various rights being taken away. However, she noted the U.S. has deep flaws throughout its history, and there are still many more rights afforded today than in past decades.

If heated rhetoric clouding U.S. politics has got you down, Headrick said, you can still show American pride through actions.

"Find a way to love your country by making it better," she said.

Headrick said it can involve showing support for civil workers or volunteering at a local homeless or animal shelter. She added that expressing pride through elections doesn't just involve voting, noting that there are opportunities to stay informed about how your local government is addressing pressing issues, such as affordable housing.


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A new Indiana law, starting today, allows school board candidates to list their political affiliation on the ballot.

Candidates may choose to register with a political party, as independents or not disclose any affiliation. Those who do not select will have a blank space next to their name and straight-ticket voting will not apply to school board races. Those opposed to the new law said it injects unnecessary politics into a role traditionally focused on education.

Leslie Jacobs, a school board member for the Fayette County School Corporation in Connersville, is against the new law.

"In my 10 years, I couldn't tell you the political leanings of anybody on my board. Never comes up," Jacobs explained. "Our discussions are purely about educational opportunities, picking a superintendent, looking at budget."

She warned requiring party labels might discourage qualified candidates from running. Supporters of the new law said it increases transparency.

Jennifer Blackburn, a school board member for the East Allen County Schools near Fort Wayne, also opposes the new law.

"The scenario that there are four candidates potentially running and three are Democrat, one is a Republican -- this last school board election -- none of us were opposed," Blackburn pointed out. "As big as our county is, there are not a lot of people running."

The law will first affect school board elections in November.


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A three-part online training series on how to run for office and govern effectively begins Monday, designed for people running at any level of government office in Western states, including Wyoming.

The training is part of the Grassroots Democracy Program under the Western Organization of Resource Councils, a group organizing in rural parts of the West and includes Wyoming's Powder River Basin Resource Council.

Gwen Lachelt, political director for the group, said the series will help answer a broad range of questions.

"Everything from, 'Am I ready to run for office? How do I organize my campaign?' To, 'how do I govern, and how can I be an effective elected official?'" Lachelt explained.

As of Friday, Lachelt noted about 50 people had signed up for the training. Registration is still open until the event starts Monday at 5:30 p.m. MT.

Lachelt added she is seeing a lot of interest in running for office from people of all age groups and all backgrounds. She emphasized the group hopes to connect with Westerners who care about natural resources.

"Our goal is to build a bench of elected officials across our regions who will champion democracy and also work to protect the West's land, air, and water," Lachelt stressed.

Guest speakers at the event include Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula, who is the House Minority Leader, and Kevin Williams, a board member of Colorado's Delta-Montrose Electric Association.


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