EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences’ Bryan Jack, PhD, and Erik B. Alexander, PhD, associate professors in the Department of History, will be hosting a panel discussion entitled, “Changing Voting Rights in America,” at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 11.
The event will be held in the Madison County Administration Building’s County Board Room. Moderators Jack and Alexander will lead a lively discussion on voting rights using specific examples in American history.
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Democracy in America is based on the radical idea that power and decision-making are shared among the citizens of a nation. The problem, however, is that the framers of the U.S. Constitution did not define who was a citizen, who could vote or how they could exercise the right to vote. Historically, we have answered these questions in different ways over the course of many years. As a result, voter participation has expanded and contracted in different places in the U.S. at different times. For example, women were not given the right to vote in federal elections until 1920; although, here in Illinois, they were allowed to vote in select local elections more than a quarter of a century earlier on what were known as ‘little ballots.’
Jack specializes in African American history, St. Louis history and the American South. He has developed numerous SIUE courses on African American history. Alexander specializes in 19th century U.S. history. His research currently focuses on political parties and political developments with a special interest in the intersection between social and political change, the coming of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Although this program is a live event, it can also be accessed virtually via smart phone or computer here. Guests can also dial-in at (312) 757-3121 (access code: 535-801-845).
This program is hosted by the Madison County Historical Society and Madison County government who, with Illinois Humanities, brought the latest Smithsonian Museum on Main Street Exhibition to Madison County. “Voices and Votes: A History of Democracy in America” will remain on display in the Madison County Administration Building lobby from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday until August 20.
If additional information is needed regarding either the exhibition or the program, contact staff at the Madison County Archival Library at (618) 656-7569.
Central to SIUE’s exceptional and comprehensive education, the College of Arts and Sciences offers degree programs in the natural sciences, humanities, arts, social sciences, and communications. The College touches the lives of all SIUE students helping them explore diverse ideas and experiences, while learning to think and live as fulfilled, productive members of the global community. Study abroad, service-learning, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities better prepare SIUE students not only to succeed in our region's workplaces, but also to become valuable leaders who make important contributions to our communities.
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