Pa. Voter Voices: The Inquirer’s Election 2020 Roundtable
The 2020 election is like no other. The coronavirus has altered the very way elections operate. The pandemic, the accompanying economic crisis, and a nationwide reckoning over systemic racism have helped create the most volatile and unpredictable political environment the United States has seen in decades.
Pennsylvania is a critical swing state in the presidential election again, after being decided by less than 1% of the total votes cast in 2016. Pennsylvania is also a sprawling, politically complex state. It encompasses so much of America in one place, reflecting the varied — and often divided — facets of the country’s culture, workplaces, lived experiences, needs, and political views. From big cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to small ones like Wilkes-Barre and Johnstown. From suburban cul-de-sacs to rural areas across the state. From the Center City skyline to the manufacturing row in Erie. And from the urban landscape of West Philly to the country roads in Westmoreland County.
The Roundtable brings together 24 voters from all over Pennsylvania for a series of open, virtual conversations about what matters most to them. We’ll talk about the issues. We’ll talk about the candidates. We’ll ask them what they want to talk about. We’ll endeavor to answer their questions — and share those answers with you.
Read more about how we built the roundtable
Meet Our Roundtable
What We’ll Accomplish
Examine Issues
What issues matter most to Pennsylvanians? Roundtable members will help us determine that. We will also use our discussions to better understand the nuance behind particular issues and political views.
Inform Voters
We want to provide people with the information they need and want ahead of the election. Roundtable members will be encouraged to ask questions and raise topics for us to dig into.
Refine Our Coverage
Roundtable members will inform how we report on the 2020 election. We want them to feel a sense of agency in shaping our coverage.
Foster Discussion
Deep divisions exist in American politics — between political parties and between voters and the media. This group will serve as a place of openness and will thrive when conversations are civil and respectful.
Roundtable Community Guidelines
The Inquirer’s Election Roundtable serves as a space for civil, respectful, and open conversations about the issues that matter most to Pennsylvania voters. As we have these discussions leading up to the general election, it will be vitally important for all of us to interact with one another in a polite manner.
In this group, we will embrace diverse viewpoints and foster thought-provoking conversations. We deeply believe that doing so will enhance our journalism and will help us tell stories that are of service to voters across the state.
But in that mission, we must insist that Roundtable members interact courteously with one another.
We reserve the right to make changes to the Roundtable membership if we deem it is necessary.