Frances Fox Piven

Frances Fox Piven, Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Sociology at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, discussed the history and politics of voting during a lecture on September 17 in observance of Constitution Day.

In her address, Piven, who spoke to an overflow audience in the Cheng Library Auditorium, described the challenges American voters have faced throughout history. “In reality, American political parties are picking voters: who registers, who stays on the registration list, and who votes,” she said. “ But many obstacles to voting can be overcome with enough grit, enthusiasm and determination.”

The program was sponsored by the American Democracy Project (ADP) at William Paterson University, part of a nationwide initiative coordinated by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) that seeks to increase civic engagement levels of U.S. students attending public colleges and universities in the 21st century.