Podcast: Trump, power politics, populism & democracy

The prevalence of uncontested elections in America—70% of all races in 2024—receives little attention. That’s partly because these races are often for local offices in small districts, but it’s also because many people don’t see these silent elections as a big problem. Some argue the absence of a challenger signals satisfaction with government or that the winner is a forgone conclusion and so it doesn’t matter if there is no challenger. This is misguided.

Unchecked silent elections stifle democratic dialogue and depress turnout. No challenger also means no campaign and no candidate debate, which limits opportunities for citizens to engage with multiple viewpoints and develop a habit of political engagement. When citizens are robbed of this, democratic culture erodes.