In this virtual conversation hosted by Votebeat, election law scholar Rick Hasen and long-time Florida election administrator Paul Lux revisit the recount that changed everything. Together, they’ll explore how the crisis in Florida led to the creation of the Help America Vote Act, the modernization of voter rolls, the birth of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and a lasting debate over the federal government’s role in elections.
Twenty-five years later, the questions first raised in 2000 still define our politics. Join us for a conversation about the enduring legacy of that election — and how it continues to shape the controversies, reforms, and battles of today.
If you submit a question through the sign up form, it may be asked by Editorial Director Jessica Huseman during the event. Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization that specializes in explaining how elections work in America.
Rick Hasen is the Gary T. Schwartz Endowed Chair in Law, Professor of Political Science (by courtesy), and Director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA School of Law. He is an internationally recognized expert in election law, writing as well in the areas of legislation and statutory interpretation, remedies, and torts. He is co-author of leading casebooks in election law and remedies.
Paul Lux is currently the elected Supervisor of Elections for Okaloosa County, Florida. He served as the Information Systems Coordinator for the county during the 2000 election. He has served in Okaloosa County’s elections for twenty-five years. He has also served as an officer of the Florida Supervisors of Elections, starting as Treasurer in 2014 until serving as President during the 2018 Elections. He currently represents Florida’s local election officials on the EAC Standards Board.
Jessica Huseman is Votebeat’s Editorial Director. She was previously the lead elections reporter for ProPublica, and helped manage the Electionland project for three federal election cycles, sharing information and tips with hundreds of newsrooms across the United States.