Dr. Michael Johns will discuss the importance of being more than just a taxpayer in a democracy and how to employ strategies to become an informed voter in the upcoming election.
Voting is one of the fundamental aspects of being in a democracy, but voting alone is not enough. Democracy requires informed voters. Democracy requires people to think of themselves not just as passive taxpayers, but engaged citizens. With so much noise on social media and elsewhere learning about where the candidates stand on issues and how to match your preferences to candidates is harder than ever. This talk with help provide the tools necessary to be the active, engaged and informed voter our democratic system requires.
Dr. Michael Johns is Chair and Associate Professor of Political Science at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. He received his PhD in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland and also holds a Masters of Science in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics. Dr. Johns teaches courses on Elections and Electoral Systems, the European Union and International Relations. He has written or co-edited five scholarly books and has published in a variety of academic journals on issues surrounding the protection of minorities and migrants in the European Union. He has twice represented the Government of Canada as an electoral observer in Ukraine and has presented his work at conferences and talks around the world.
Our Downtown Branch is centrally located in the Downtown core at the corner of Worsley and Owen Streets. The building and facilities are fully accessible. Enjoy a beverage or a small snack from our Café located inside the lobby, use our complimentary wifi, experiment with technology and maker tools, or soak up the sun on our Rooftop Reading Garden.
