Date
How secure are our elections, and how do we know?
With the November midterm elections approaching, join University of Michigan experts and election-security leaders for a timely, nonpartisan discussion about the systems, technologies, and safeguards that protect elections and help verify results.
Moderated by U-M Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Ravi Pendse, the panel will feature J. Alex Halderman, the Bredt Family Professor of Engineering and an election-cybersecurity researcher; Walter Mebane, professor of political science and statistics and an expert in election forensics; and Mara Ostfeld, research associate professor of public policy and an expert in survey research and public opinion. Together, they will examine cybersecurity threats to election infrastructure, voting technology and verification, the role of audits and evidence in evaluating results, and the challenge of maintaining public confidence in a rapidly changing information environment.
Designed for a broad audience, the conversation will consider how experts identify genuine risks, evaluate claims, strengthen election resilience, and support transparency and trust.
The moderated panel will be followed by an audience question-and-answer period.
The event is open to U-M students, faculty, and staff. Seating is limited to 120 people, and an RSVP is required. Refreshments will be provided.
Location
University Hall, Alexander G. Ruthven Building
University of Michigan Central Campus
1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Speakers
Walter Richard Mebane, Jr. is a University of Michigan professor of political science and statistics and an expert on detecting electoral fraud. He is a research professor with the Center for Political Studies.
Dr. Mara Cecilia Ostfeld is the research director at the Center for Racial Justice and a research associate professor at the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. She also serves as a faculty lead of the Detroit Metro Area Communities Study—an ongoing, representative survey of Detroit households that captures residents’ expectations, perceptions, priorities, and aspirations.
Dr. Pendse serves as the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the University of Michigan. He is an executive officer of the university and provides university-wide leadership and strategic direction for information technology. He is also a Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a special advisor to the President of the University of Michigan for India.
Dr. Pendse has secured more than $21 million in external research grants, developed and taught courses in the areas of computer architecture, networking, and cybersecurity, earned several teaching awards, and published numerous scholarly articles co-authored with students. His research interests include the internet of things, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the future of work. Dr. Pendse holds a B.S. in electronics and communication engineering from Osmania University in Hyderabad (India). He received his M.S. and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Wichita State University. He serves as a trustee of the Kansas Health Science University.