Wake Up To Politics

For the final episode of 2020, Gabe answers your questions. He’ll weigh in on questions about the Electoral College, ranked-choice voting, motivating young voters and more.

As the Trump administration blocks Joe Biden from kicking off his presidential transition, Gabe is joined by Martha Joynt Kumar, the director of the White House Transition Project, to explain what goes on in a presidential transition and why they matter. Gabe and Professor Kumar draw on past examples from history to show the potential consequences of Biden’s delayed transition. Plus, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jo Mannies offers her perspective on transitions and the early signs of what a Biden Administration might look like.

Have you ever wondered how TV networks call the presidency on Election Night? In this episode, Gabe gets the inside scoop from Arnon Mishkin, the head of the Fox News Decision Desk. Arnon will explain how his team works to carefully project each state, even with the complicating factors of the 2020 race. Then, Gabe will talk to a fellow teenage election watcher, Niles Francis of Decision Desk HQ, who will offer a rundown of the key races to watch as returns roll in.

The Electoral College is one of the most controversial parts of the American political system. But it’s also one of the least understood. In this episode, Gabe is joined by Professor Rob Alexander to explain why the Founders created the Electoral College, how it works in practice, and who the electors that compose it actually are.

How did Supreme Court confirmation battles become so toxic? Gabe is joined by Washington Post reporter Seung Min Kim and High School SCOTUS founder Anna Salvatore to explain the origins of the “judicial wars,” where they might be headed next, and why it matters.