Counting the Vote: A Firing Line Special with Margaret Hoover
Published 2024-08-28
“Counting the Vote” looks back at two of the most bitterly contested elections in American history—2000 and 2020—and examines subsequent efforts to make the casting and counting of ballots more efficient and inclusive. Several pivotal swing states have taken steps to improve election efficiency since 2020, including Michigan, but other potential tipping points in a close presidential contest like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin could be careening toward a crisis.
How did Florida become the gold standard for election administration after the chaos of 2000? Why have some states succeeded in implementing common sense reforms while lawmakers in others struggle to find bipartisan consensus to solve known problems? Amid a flood of disinformation and conspiracy theories, how confident can voters be that their ballots will be counted quickly and accurately this November?
In “Counting the Vote,” personal stories and expert voices from across the country–including interviews with those currently overseeing elections like Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Democratic Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson–provide a comprehensive understanding of the most powerful tool in American democracy, the threats that could undermine the will of the people, and what it takes to protect the vote count.
COUNTING THE VOTE: A FIRING LINE SPECIAL WITH MARGARET HOOVER was made possible by Robert Granieri, The WNET Group’s Preserving Democracy initiative, and PBS viewers like you.
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FIRING LINE WITH MARGARET HOOVER airs on PBS. Launched in June 2018, Firing Line maintains the character of the original series by William F. Buckley Jr., providing a platform that is diligent in its commitment to a balanced exchange of opinion. In weekly 30-minute episodes, host Margaret Hoover engages in a rigorous exchange of ideas with political leaders, cultural luminaries, thought leaders and activists who represent a wide range of ideas and perspectives. New episodes are available Fridays here on YouTube at 8:30 pm ET.
All Comments (21)
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Thank you Margaret. Your reporting and service to our country makes me proud and hopeful. Your guests working to count our votes accurately deserve the same praise.
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As a native Detroiter, i was ill and angry at the attempts to “stop the count.”
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What Gore and Biden did was extraordinarily selfless. 2 amazing men. Can you imagine trump doing anything similar? Of course you can’t.
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I would advise anyone to call the local ROV (Registrar of Voters) office. ASK them to explain the election process to you and how election integrity is maintained. As an election volunteer, I've seen firsthand how hardworking volunteers (Democrats and Republicans) strive to do their jobs with the utmost integrity. If you really want to learn the process, volunteer to be a poll worker!!
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No matter what facts or truths are presented, MAGA will only accept the results as "Free and Fair" if trump wins.
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This was a master class of the American Voting System, well represented by both the major political parties. As always Margaret your reporting is impeccable, thank you for this!
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Really well done. This so important. Thank you Margaret.
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Thank you for this. Please make sure this is still available for free through January 6 2025 - we will have to show this to many people after the election is called and people say it as stolen.
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I’m here from the bulwark podcast ep with Margaret Hoover. Love this doc. ❤️❤️❤️
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The assault on the capital on January 6th first broke my heart but then it hardened me against the danger that trump presents to our system of democracy.
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When we in the state of Utah received voting by mail, it is great, you have time to study the issues and make a more informed choice in the election and none of the pressure when you have a voting both with a line of people waiting to vote.
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Does Trump still watch 2000 Mules now that Salem Media admitted it was a lie and pulled it from sale?
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I love the sheer arrogance of the USA insisting it has the most secure and best voting system in the world. I’m sure it’s secure but if put the Australian system of elections, independent boundaries of district setting and standardised ballots and processes up against the US any day. The Australian Electoral Commission is invited all over the world to oversee elections but I guess if you live in the USA you can’t see past the hype and nonsense.
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Bush and Florida pulled an electronic coupe! Trump is trying to do the same!
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America, one man has made you doubt your electoral process for his ego.😂
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Harris/Walz 2024!!! We won't go back!!!
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Thanks for shining a truthful light on the process counting the votes
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As a European (an Englishman living in Denmark) it amazes me the the US doesn't just do it's counting the old fashioned way, entirely by hand. It works perfectly well and you get the results very quickly, why mess about with involving machines? The other obvious question as an outsider is why do politicians have involvement in the running of elections in America? It seems like a very strange arrangement which will inevitably lead to problems whether real or imaginary.
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I thought vote by mail rolled over. I learned by watching your show it didn't. I'm all set for November. Thank you
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Loved this interview, Hoover is amazing and Tim, thanks for acknowledging how the electoral college system of voting for President is unfair to Democrats. Already the two senators per state allows for ongoing minority rule, but at least it should be one person one vote for President. Meanwhile, we fight the fight we have.
