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Securing the Vote: Emerging Technologies and the Integrity of American Elections

Presented by The USF College of Arts and Sciences Democracy and Citizenship Speaker Series

Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, the Center for Sustainable Democracy, and the Humanities Institute

About the Event

How might emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, as well as everyday digital and social media platforms present challenges to and opportunities for the integrity of American elections? In a sea of information, detecting what content is correct, incorrect, and manipulated can be a difficult task. Feeling empowered to vote and confident in the integrity of American elections requires understanding the information available to each of us. Community officials, political analysts, and researchers come together for this panel to discuss how we can prepare to be better content consumers and decision-makers this election season.

This conversation, moderated by journalist Briona Arradondo of Fox 13 Tampa Bay, features expertise from Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer, political analyst and USF Professor Emerita Dr. Susan MacManus, Director of the USF Center for Sustainable Democracy Dr. Joshua Scacco, and Dennis Mont’Ros with the USF Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement.

IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS

Attendance at this event fulfills an opportunity for rigorous debate as mandated by the State of Florida Civics Literacy graduation requirement. Some students who transfer from other institutions are able to supplement their transfer coursework to meet graduation requirements by participating. Proof of attendance that includes a photo at the event is necessary to receive the credit.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERs

Briona Arradondo

Fox 13 Tampa Bay, Moderator

Briona Arradondo is co-anchor for the FOX 13 weekend evening newscasts and reports during the weekdays. Before coming to Florida in 2018, the Atlanta native spent five years reporting and anchoring at Tennessee stations in Nashville and Chattanooga, and she began her broadcasting career in Steubenville, Ohio. Briona earned her master’s degree from American University in Washington, D.C., and her bachelor’s degree from Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Growing up as an Army brat, she developed a passion for travel, culture and great food. So, when she’s not dreaming up her next adventure, you can find her training for a 5K or half-marathon, exploring the restaurant scene, or seeking thrills at Florida’s theme parks.

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Craig Latimer

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer was elected to his position in November 2012 and took office on January 8, 2013. He was re-elected in 2016 and 2020, and is now proudly serving his third term in office. His vision is to make Hillsborough County the best place in America to vote. Supervisor Latimer is the first Supervisor of Elections to earn the Governor's Sterling Award, the highest award for performance excellence in the State of Florida. Sterling Award recipients are selected based on a rigorous examination and expected to serve as role models, sharing best practices with others in the state. He went on to serve as the president of Florida’s statewide association of election officials (FSE) in 2020. In 2022 and 2023, Supervisor Latimer was recognized by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission with Clearinghouse Awards for leadership in poll worker training, voter education, and election administration innovation. While this is his first elected office, Supervisor Latimer is not new to the Supervisor of Elections office. He served as Chief of Staff to the Supervisor of Elections from 2009 to 2013. Supervisor Latimer received his official designation as a Certified Elections and Registration Administrator (CERA) in 2014, and currently serves as a founding member of the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections. Public service has always been part of Craig Latimer’s job description. Before working for the Supervisor of Elections office, he served and protected the community for 35 years in law enforcement, retiring as a Major from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 2008.

Supervisor Latimer also serves our community as a volunteer. He is on the board of the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network and the Tampa Catholic High School Board of Trustees, as well as Chair Emeritus of BAYS Florida and Honorary Commander for the 6th Medical Group at MacDill Air Force Base. Craig Latimer was born and raised in Hillsborough County. He attended Christ the King, graduated from Tampa Catholic High School, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida.

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Dr. Susan MacManus

USF Professor Emerita

Dr. Susan A. MacManus is a USF Distinguished University Professor (Political Science) Emerita. MacManus received her M.A. from the University of Michigan and Ph.D. from Florida State University.

MacManus has authored or co-authored numerous publications on Florida politics, including Florida’s Minority Trailblazers: The Men and Women Who Changed the Face of Florida Government, Politics in Florida (5th ed., 2019) Ten Media Markets, One Powerful State, Young v. Old: Generational Combat in the 21st Century and Targeting Senior Voters. MacManus and her mother, Elizabeth, authored two local Florida history books: Citrus, Sawmills, Critters & Crackers: Early Life in Lutz and Central Pasco County and Going, Going, Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O' Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories. She is a native Floridian from a citrus-growing family.

From 1998 to 2015, she served as a political analyst for WFLA News Channel 8 (Tampa’s NBC affiliate). Since 2016, she has been the political analyst for ABC Action News (Tampa’s ABC affiliate). She is a featured columnist on sayfiereview.com—a widely read Florida-based political website. MacManus has appeared on every major broadcast and cable television and radio network and has been interviewed by major newspapers in Florida, the U.S., and abroad. She serves on the UF Bob Graham Center for Public Service Council of Advisors and on the Board of Directors of the Florida TaxWatch Center for Florida Citizenship. She chaired the Florida Elections Commission from 1999-2003 and is Florida’s most-quoted political scientist. MacManus is not affiliated with any political party.

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Dennis Mont’Ros

Student Programs Coordinator, Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement. Adjunct Faculty, Judy Genshaft Honors College

Dennis Mont’Ros serves as the Democratic Engagement Student Programs Coordinator at the University of South Florida Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement. His professional focus is educating students on the democratic process, advocating for voting registration and facilitating voting preparation. Dennis also serves as adjunct faculty for the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College, teaching an Artificial Intelligence focused Humanities course. He has previously taught courses with topics such as rhetoric, propaganda, and censorship. Dennis is an honorably discharged 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force.

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Joshua Scacco, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Communication

Joshua M. Scacco (PhD, University of Texas at Austin) is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Communication at the University of South Florida. Dr. Scacco also serves as a Faculty Researcher with the USF-Nielsen Sunshine State Survey and is a Faculty Research Associate with the award-winning Center for Media Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin. He specializes in political communication, media content and effects, and quantitative research methods. He is the coauthor, with Kevin Coe, of the book The Ubiquitous Presidency: Presidential Communication and Digital Democracy in Tumultuous Times (Oxford University Press). In addition to research publications in communication, journalism, and political science journals, Dr. Scacco has applied his research in partnerships with the U.S. Department of State, news outlets and journalism nonprofits, and local governments. His perspectives also have been featured in The Washington Post, The Guardian, Newsweek, Slate, national and local podcasts, and local news outlets throughout Florida.

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PARKING 

Parking is available in Lot 21. For more information about campus parking, please visit the Parking Services website.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENT?

For more information or to request reasonable accommodations, please contact CAS RSVP.