American elections are secure, extensively scrutinized and protected by layers of safeguards. So why is public trust in them declining? Bill Gates, director of Arizona State University’s Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory and former Maricopa County Supervisor, explains how elections actually work, what makes them secure and why understanding the process may be key to rebuilding trust.

Learn more about:

• Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory at ASU
• MIT Election Data and Science Lab

Become a poll worker in Maricopa County… or elsewhere in Arizona… or somewhere else in the U.S.!

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn or visit us at research.asu.edu.

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Episode credits

Special thanks to Alejandra Espinoza at the Maricopa County Elections Department

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot by Alexander Chapin

Edited by Quinton Kendall

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Editorial support from Diane Boudreau

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Disclosure:

Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.