The Business of Democracy The People, Processes, and Technology

Election officials and technology leaders gathered at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication on Oct. 15 for a panel discussion on election integrity, security, and community engagement in Arizona.

The event, hosted by the ASU School of Public Affairs and the Phoenix Community Alliance, featured Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Maricopa County Elections Director Scott Jarrett, and Phoenix City Clerk Denise Archibald. They were joined by David Lopez, Global Lead for Civic Responsibility, Trust & Safety at Google, and Bill Gates, Professor of Practice at the ASU School of Public Affairs and Executive Director of the Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory.

Panelists offered a transparent look at how elections are run in Arizona, from primary season logistics to coordination between cities and counties. The discussion also covered the state’s role in establishing best practices, certifying voting equipment, and leading voter outreach efforts.

Speakers also examined the role of technology in elections, including the digital safeguards platforms use to help voters find reliable information when searching online.

The full discussion is available to watch on YouTube.