If you have read any of my previous columns, you know I am always encouraging my readers to register to vote, have a voting plan, and encourage others in their families and communities to participate in the electoral process if they are voting-eligible. This year’s presidential election on November 5 is definitely one of the most consequential elections in our lifetime. I would also encourage people to think about the important local elections in June (and November) of 2025, where New Yorkers will elect their mayor, comptroller, City Council members, borough presidents, and more.
On September 17, my friend and colleague Bradley Tusk will publish “Vote with Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting is Our Final Shot at Saving Democracy” (Sourcebooks). Tusk has compiled a straightforward book to assist voters in their quest to become more informed and more participatory. As a political scientist, I sometimes forget that not everyone feels comfortable talking about politics … or asking questions about certain systems that might need clarification and further explanation.
As an educator, I am always so pleased when I find a book that helps demystify the electoral process and leaves voters with a sense of excitement about elections to come. One of the most important factors in getting people excited about participating in the electoral process is making sure they feel confident in how the process works and also giving them information and tools to further solidify their role in moving their communities forward.
What makes “Vote with Your Phone” so important for this moment is largely due to the clarity in which it presents ideas and themes. For example, breaking down the primary electoral process, rank choice voting (which New York City voters use to help elect their mayor), compulsory voting, digital voting, and so much more. Tusk has even assembled personal essays from thought leaders ranging from Martin Luther King, III to David Hogg, who are advocates for mobile voting.
I must admit, like Erykah Badu, I’m an analog girl in a digital world. I still like pen and paper in many facets of my life, but “Vote with your Phone” has laid out an argument for mobile voting that I suspect we will continue to have in the upcoming years. The 45th president has made it clear that he wants November 2024 to be the last American election if he wins. Therefore, it is imperative that we get out and vote to save/salvage our democracy on November 5 so we can continue to have these important discussions and debates about technology in our electoral processes.
I tend not to be an early adopter of technology, but Tusk lays out the importance of reimagining our political process to include more voters and increase not just participation but enthusiasm as well. Be sure to grab a copy of “Vote with Your Phone” next week!
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.