Colin Cole, Director of Policy, Outreach, and Communications at More Equitable Democracy and co-host of MED’s podcast the Future of Our Former Democracy, joins Chris to talk about the newest season of his podcast and MED’s work across the country.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• More Equitable Democracy

• The Future of Our Former Democracy

• American Troubles

• Democracy World Tour

Lavar Henderson, 2025–2026 Student Body President at Louisiana State University, joins Chris to talk about ranked choice voting at LSU! Listen in as they discuss the history of RCV at LSU, campaign tactics in RCV, and how to resolve contested elections.

Note: This podcast was recorded in early March. LSU's student government elections were held earlier this month, but after the podcast was recorded.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• FairVote Page on RCV on College Campuses

• State senators go to bat for LSU student government candidates accused of frat food bribery - 2025 LSU Elections

• LSU Elections Commission

Chris Donnay, a mathematician and data scientist who studies election methods, joins Chris to talk about ranked ballots on RuPaul's Drag Race! Listen in as they discuss the Rate-A-Queen twist the show has used for the last few seasons, figure out just how each queen's ranked ballot is getting counted, and talk Drag Queen campaign strategy.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Gold Derby Article Discussing this Research!
• VoteKit
• VoteKit Documentation
• Electoral college ties
• Tiebreaking Laws in the US
• Portland, ME Tie in 2021

Michelle Whittaker, Executive Director of Ranked Choice Voting Maryland and Communications Director at Rank the Vote, joins Chris to talk about how she and Ranked Choice Voting Maryland prepare for legislative session and stay motivated to keep chipping away at big, immovable objects (like state legislatures).

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Maryland General Assembly Calendar
• RCV Maryland Legislative Priorities

Sally Hudson, Executive Director of Ranked Choice Virginia, joins Chris to talk about Charlottesville, Virginia's use of proportional RCV this summer and how PRCV changes how power gets used in a democracy.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• A Recap of Charlottesville's First Ranked Choice Election