CSLS Speaker Series: “Citizen Election Observation and Public Confidence in the U.S. Elections”

Featuring Susan Hyde, Professor of Political Science, UC Berkeley. 

Nonpartisan citizen election observation has played an important role in promoting the credibility of electoral processes around the world in recent decades. Given increasing polarization and declining public trust, there is a growing interest in deploying similar initiatives in the United States. We assess whether nonpartisan observation can shape attitudes among the U.S. public, employing a series of survey experiments fielded to nearly 10,000 respondents that randomized the provision of information about observers. These include both hypothetical vignettes and information about a real-world observation mission undertaken by the nonpartisan Carter Center in 2022—the first of its kind in the United States. Positive assessments of nonpartisan observers increased respondents’ confidence in electoral results and processes, especially among moderately uncertain respondents. The credibility of the messenger is critical, however, and contrasting evidence from different surveys emphasizes the challenges of translating the promise of these initiatives into real-world benefits.

Cosponsored with the Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice

Reception: Lunch 12:15-12:45p.m. in the Kadish Library 
Program: 12:45-2:00p.m. in the Philip Selznick Seminar Room

Register for the livestream via Zoom.    
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If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) to fully participate in this event, please contact csls@law.berkeley.edu with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7-10 days in advance of the event.