Faculty Experts for Upcoming Election

Media Advisory

Members of the media are welcome to utilize these faculty experts before, during, and after the midterm elections as you work to provide complete coverage of this process. 

JMU's Faculty Experts

Tim LaPira is able to speak generally on the midterm elections and general politics. His background is in political science and more information can be found here. LaPira will also be one of four panelists hosting a post-election conversation to make sense of the midterms, which will be held on November 7. 

Lori Britt will provide insight into how to have a conversation surrounding the election and getting communities and organizations engaged in productive forms of collaboration and deliberation. She has experience in facilitating deliberation, dialogue, and visioning processes for governmental and nonprofit agencies. 

Aimee Brickner provides a unique angle in discussing ways to communicate and cope with stress when speaking to family, friends, and co-workers with opposing political views. Her area of study is interpersonal communication with a concentration in conflict.  

Abe Goldberg serves as the executive director of JMU’s Center for Civic Engagement and he is working to educate the JMU community on the election process, the importance for youth to participate in their democracy, and ways to be an engaged citizen.

As the institution named for the father of the Constitution, JMU works to prepare students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives, with a vision to be the national model for the engaged university. The election process serves as a great opportunity to emphasize the core concepts of this university.  

James Madison University Election Events

JMU will have one polling place on campus at the Convocation Center. Members of the media are welcome to this location to speak with faculty experts and JMU staff working to get Dukes to Vote! There will also be a “Party at the Precinct” with fun and engaging activities for voters. 

After the election, from 7-10 p.m. there will be an election watch party at Madison Union Ballroom. Entertainment and presentations will be made, while voters watch the results come in. Members of the media are also invited to this event. 

On Wednesday, November 7 from 5-6:30 p.m. JMU’s Center for Civic Engagement will host a discussion, “Making Sense of the Midterms.” Four experts will provide their insight into the election outcomes and the implications of the elections for governance. This is a great example of the work JMU is doing to not only get students to the polls, but to educate them on the process. 

Additional information is available through JMU's election connection webpage.

Media contact: Mary-Hope Vass, vassmg@jmu.edu, 540-568-7487.

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