Every election is different, but 2020 is in a category of its own. Americans are heading to the polls while a pandemic rages, leading many officials and politicians to encourage voting by mail while others seek to cast doubt on early voting and absentee ballots. Disenfranchisement that disproportionately affects people of color has yet to be consigned to history. And it may not be clear when we’ll even know the winner. How do we navigate through this election, and what awaits on the other side? Aspen Institute voices explore the state of our democracy today.

Democracies require disagreement – after all, voters need to be offered real choices. Yet we aspire to base our disagreements on a similar set of values, beliefs and facts. Is substantive, respectful discourse now the exception rather than the rule? Have we forgotten how to talk to each other? Across the country, we’re partnering with community leaders who are overcoming political polarization and agreeing to disagree without sacrificing a sense of shared identity.

A healthy press is crucial for holding politicians to account and bringing voters the information they need to make informed decisions. Yet, in recent decades, public trust in the media has sharply fallen. How does the media restore credibility while enduring partisan attacks? Are they effectively covering the 2020 election? Can social media fulfill its promise to radically democratize the political process and give everyone an equal platform? As that utopian vision has soured, what can we do to combat disinformation and hate?

The 2016 U.S. election showed the world that, left unchecked, technology can pose a significant threat to democracies. Hostile actors can do immense damage through voter manipulation, hacked data leaks, and even direct attacks on election infrastructure. Are we better prepared today? More hopefully, how can we harness technology for good? We look at recent innovations that seek to make the democratic process more inclusive and people-powered than ever before.

Whether they are casting a ballot for the first time, or are still under the voting age limit, the rising generation has much to teach older voters about political engagement. On critical issues like climate change and racial justice, young people aren’t just demanding change, they’re mobilizing beyond the ballot box to make it happen. How will these new voices impact our democracy? What tools are they using to bring about change? Young leaders across multiple Aspen Institute networks share their perspectives.