Event Spotlight: Stony Brook to Host Debate over Electoral College System

A debate on Thursday at Stony Brook University will explore the electoral college system the nation currently uses to elect its president every four years.

Key topics of discussion will include: Has the electoral college system outlived its rationale? Should a system based entirely on the popular vote be instituted?

Two teams of panelists will debate the issue, and the audience will determine which side has won the debate via a majority vote. The panelists include:

• Robert Keeler, a Newsday editorial board member and Pulitzer-winning journalist who has covered local, state and national issues for more than 40 years. 
• New York State Assemb. Hon. Charles Lavine, D-Glen Cove, who has represented the 13th Assembly District since 2004 and is also a lawyer specializing in criminal defense cases.
• Jonathan Sanders, an Associate Professor of Journalism at Stony Brook University, who is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning international reporter for CBS News as well as a Fulbright Scholar. 
• Harry Withers, the former Suffolk County Republican Chairman, former Babylon Town Councilman, and a current Stony Brook University adjunct professor of political science whose interests include public policy and Federalism.

Event information:

Date: Thursday, Nov. 29
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Humanities Building, Room 1006