Arizona’s elections are evolving, and the debate over how we vote is intensifying.
“Arizona Horizon” host Ted Simons leads a discussion about changes that are already reshaping the system, other proposed reforms and who is pushing them, and what Arizona voters can expect when casting their ballots in the future. But the biggest question is whether any of these changes make our elections any better.
Joining Simons will be Bill Gates, Director of the ASU Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory, Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly, Votebeat reporter Sasha Hupka and Phoenix-area business leader John Fees.
This special is presented in partnership with the ASU Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory.
Meet our panelists
Bill Gates
Bill Gates is the Director of the ASU Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory, an administration that focuses on the process of elections. Gates is also a Professor of Practice at ASU Watts College of Public Service of Community Solutions. Gates currently dedicates time to serve as a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and prior to that, he served on the Phoenix City Council for seven years.
Gabriella Cázares-Kelly
Gabriella Cázares-Kelly has served as Pima County’s Recorder since November of 2020 and is the first Native American to hold an elected office in Pima County. Her office focuses on early voting, voter registration and document recording for Pima County. Cázares-Kelly is a former educator and community organizer. She also serves as co-founder of a grassroots community organization called Indivisible Tohono, which provides opportunities for civic engagement within the Tohono O’odham Nation.
Sasha Hupka
Sasha Hupka covers voting access, election administration and democracy issues across Arizona for Votebeat. She previously reported on government, business and other topics at “The Arizona Republic,” the state’s largest newspaper. Her work has also been published by “The Los Angeles Times,” “Politifact” and other news outlets. She is originally from New York and holds degrees from Binghamton University and the University of California, Berkeley.
John Fees
John Fees is a serial entrepreneur with direct experience building technology enabled ventures at the intersection of financial services and education. His success in this arena has led to the sale of two prior business ventures, Y2M and Members Connect, to Viacom and JP Morgan Chase respectively. Fees is a graduate of Arizona State University, where he received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in History and is also a graduate of Harvard Business School where he completed a Masters in Business Administration.
Ted Simons
The forum will be moderated by Ted Simons, the award-winning host and managing editor of “Arizona Horizon,” the nightly public affairs show on Arizona PBS. Simons moderates discussions with government officials, business leaders and policy makers about the issues, laws and policies that affect Arizonans in their everyday lives. The long-time Valley journalist joined “Arizona Horizon” in 2007.
