Voting by mail limits the spread of COVID-19. But is the ballot really secret?
While voting by mail would allow tens of millions of people to participate safely in this fall’s election, it carries its own risk to the integrity of the voting, say the authors of a forthcoming book on secret balloting.
Corporate money in politics threatens US democracy—or does it?
In a new book, Rochester political scientist David Primo and his coauthor argue that the influence of campaign financing is misunderstood by voters, policymakers, the media, and political analysts.
Women quotas in politics lead to unintended consequences
Female electoral quota systems are designed to increase the representation of women in politics, but may curtail representation in other respects, Rochester political scientists find.
‘A giant in the field of American Politics’
In a career spanning five decades, Richard (Dick) Fenno, who died in April 21, was instrumental in shaping the field of political science and in establishing the national reputation of Rochester’s political science department.
Perception of US democracy tanks after Trump impeachment
The nonpartisan Bright Line Watch research group finds that perceptions of the health of US democracy clearly declined after the president’s impeachment.
Why are ‘Oscars so white,’ not just on stage but online?
In an analysis for the Washington Post, Rochester political scientist Bethany Lacina finds that, in whiter media markets, people seek out personal information about actors of color less.
Online trolls keep largely mum for latest Star Wars movie
With a fast-paced plot and more conservative themes, The Rise of Skywalker avoided the online trolling that greeted its predecessor, argues associate professor of political science Bethany Lacina in the Washington Post.
The Great Recession: The downturn that wouldn’t end
The Great Recession officially lasted through June 2009, with unemployment levels peaking in October of that year. And while unemployment is now the lowest it’s been in the last 50 years, Rochester experts say the recession is still very much with us.
Football, acting, and activism spur this South Florida native
James Bentayou ’23 hopes Rochester will become a place where he can combine his interest in acting, politics, and football. “I want people on campus to remember me.”
Can campaign finance disclosure go too far? The case of small donors
It’s possible that if you’ve donated even as little as a dollar to a political candidate, it’s information easily obtained on the internet. That concerns David Primo, an associate professor of political science and business administration.