Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2019-08-28

Duration: 00:58:17

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Politics | Government | Elections, 2019

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Erwin, Barry Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Stockley, Joshua Interviewee
• Alford, Jeremy Interviewee
• Hewitt, Sharon Interviewee
• Henderson, Norris Interviewee
• Maloyed, Christie Speaker
• Shelton, Ashley Speaker
• Cornelius, Scott Speaker
• Benoit, NaTasha Carter Speaker
• Roubein, Zach Speaker
• Lee, Allison Speaker
• Brien, William Speaker
• Sonnier-Netto, Libbie Speaker
• Joshua, Kaitlyn Speaker
• Hadlock, Claire Speaker
• Rau, Aly Speaker
• Singleton, Rene Speaker
• Torgrimson, Ellen Speaker
• Bordelon, Grace Speaker
• Nickel, Jim Panelist
• Erspamer, Daniel Panelist
• Oubre, Melanie Panelist
• Samuels, Albert Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from August 28, 2019, features Barry Erwin leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on getting Louisianans more involved in the political process. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Dr. Joshua Stockley, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe; Jeremy Alford, the editor of LaPolitics.com; State Senator Sharon Hewitt; and Norris Henderson, the executive director of the Voice of the Experienced (VOTE). The audience members then discuss how their organizations are engaging voters for the upcoming statewide elections in Louisiana. A panel of experts then joins the audience members to answer their questions. The panelists are: Jim Nickel, a partner with Courson Nickel; Daniel Erspamer, the CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy; Melanie Oubre, the founding executive director of Emerge Louisiana; and Dr. Albert Samuels, the chairman of the Department of Political Science and History at Southern University in Baton Rouge. They discuss: the level of voter engagement for the upcoming elections; the biggest issues facing the state; voters’ perceptions about government; encouraging candidates to participate in voter guides; the impact of social media on elections; voter turnout; engaging disenfranchised voters; and bridging the gap between elected officials and voters. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Barry Erwin