Lauren Prather – The Conversation

People fill out their ballots during the early voting period in Cutler Bay, Fla., on Oct. 27, 2024. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

November 1, 2024

International election monitors can help boost people’s trust in the electoral process − but not all work the same way

Sarah Bush, University of Pennsylvania and Lauren Prather, University of California, San Diego

While the US supports nonpartisan election observers in other countries, the practice has a low profile in this country.

Election workers sort ballots at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center on Nov. 9, 2022, in Phoenix. John Moore/Getty Images

December 1, 2022

Healthy democracy requires trust – these 3 things could start to restore voters’ declining faith in US elections

Sarah Bush, Yale University and Lauren Prather, University of California, San Diego

Despite a midterm election largely free of controversy over its legitimacy, a large percentage of Americans distrust elections. And that’s dangerous for democracy.

Migrants pray at a March 2 demonstration at San Ysidro crossing port in Tijuana, Mexico, to demand clearer U.S. migration policies. Guillermo Arias/AFP via Getty Images

March 16, 2021

When Americans recall their roots, they open up to immigration

Claire L. Adida, University of California, San Diego; Adeline Lo, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Lauren Prather, University of California, San Diego; Melina Platas, New York University, and Scott Williamson, New York University

Research suggests that reminding Americans – Democrats and Republicans – of their family history creates empathy for immigrants and more favorable views toward immigration.

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