by Mo Rocca
First published 2012
Mo Rocca examines the broken machinery of American democracy in this companion to his PBS documentary. The political satirist reveals how constitutional gaps leave voting rights unprotected and bureaucratic failures strip millions of their franchise. Rocca traces the Founding Fathers' choice to exclude voting guarantees from the Constitution and shows how courts have struggled to fill this void ever since. He investigates voter ID battles, fraud allegations, and impersonation claims that dominate political discourse. The book exposes Election Day disasters from poorly designed ballots to chaotic recounts, while examining how partisan election officials shape outcomes. Rocca analyzes the Electoral College's undemocratic structure and its power to override popular will. Rock the Vote president Heather Smith contributes solutions for reforming the system. Published before the 2012 election, this investigation serves voters who want their ballots to matter regardless of party affiliation.
Genres: political-science, politics, non-fiction, current-affairs, academic, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism, social-commentary
Setting: America, United States
Period: 2012
290 pages · Kindle Edition · The New Press