
What is Democracy Day?

Election Day is an academic holiday at Stanford University— Democracy Day!
No classes are scheduled on this day, and students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate in programming designed to promote democratic participation, civic engagement, and community building.
Mark your calendar!
This year, Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.
Go vote, and then plan to attend some of the special events, including a keynote speaker, Donuts & Democracy, and more!
November 3, 2022
10:00-11:00am
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A Conversation with Condoleezza RiceZoom; Students, staff, faculty, alumni Join us in the leadup to Democracy Day for a conversation with Condoleezza Rice, moderated by Professor Adam Bonica. Zoom registration here |
November 7, 2022
6:00-7:00pm
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Pizza & PolicyLocation: Y2E2 Room 299; Students Join us in conversation with Prof. Bruce Cain and other affiliates of the Bill Lane Center to hear about how we can promote greater environmental stewardship in government. |
November 8, 2022
9:00–9:30am
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Virtual discussion with Senator John HickenlooperZoom; Students, staff, faculty, alumni Join us in conversation with U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper. Hosted by Stanford in Government. Zoom registration here |
10:00–11:00am |
Engineering x Public Service Careers PanelShriram 104; Students A panel for STEM students to learn about careers where you can apply your engineering skills while contributing to the public good. Hear from panelists at Coding It Forward, the Tech Talent Project, and the GSA's Technology Modernization Fund about their journeys from FAANG companies to public service. Free boba & t-shirts for attendees! |
9:45am–12:00pm
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Donuts & DemocracyFreidenrich Hall at Hillel; Students Join a group of diverse Stanford students for a structured discussion on campus reform and social media. Hosted by the Deliberative Democracy Lab and the Haas Center for Public Service. |
11:30am-1:30pm
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Dine & DialogueVarious dining halls; Students & faculty Join your professors for lunch at a Stanford dining hall! A list of participating professors and their bios can be found on the signup sheet. Sign up here |
12:00-1:00pm
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All Vote No Playd.School; Students An event for Stanford athletes, featuring free stickers, posters, and Jimmy V's, plus a chance to celebrate election heroes like poll workers. All Vote No Play is a movement to help players become great teammates and citizens and to show them how they can exercise their own power to create the future they want. |
12:00-1:15pm
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Ran Abramitzky: Streets of Gold: America’s Untold Story of Immigrant Success Ran Abramitzky, Stanford Federal Credit Union Professor of Economics and the Senior Associate Dean for the Social Sciences at Stanford University, will share findings from Streets of Gold: America’s Untold Story of Immigrant Success, a new book from PublicAffairs co-authored with Leah Boustan, Professor of Economics at Princeton University. See details No registration necessary for in-person attendance. Register for Zoom |
2:00–3:00pm
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Keynote Conversation: Andrew YangDinkelspiel Auditorium; Students, staff, faculty, alumni Join us for a conversation with Democracy Day 2022 keynote speaker Andrew Yang moderated by Professor Adam Bonica. Submit a question for a chance to ask it to him live from a front row seat at the event! |
3:00–4:00pm |
Post-Speaker Peer DeliberationCanfield Court/Law School; Students Continue the conversation about Andrew Yang's talk with other students and a peer facilitator! If it's rainy, report to Room B13/302 in the Crown Building or to Neukom 208. Otherwise, meet at the round tables on Canfield Court outside the law school by the totem pole. |
3:30–5:00pm
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Party at the PollsOld Union; Students, staff, faculty, alumni Free food, live music, and fun for the whole campus community. Co-sponsored with the Office of Student Engagement. |
5:00–6:00pm
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ASSU PanelHaas Center for Public Service; Students Come hear from elected ASSU representatives on the importance of student government elections and how they impact your own well-being and experience on campus. |
5:00–6:30pm
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Documentary Screening with StanfordArtsRoble Arts Gym; Students, staff, faculty, alumni Join StanfordArts for a screening of "Truth to Power: Barbara Lee Speaks for Me." |
5:30–7:00pm
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Dine & DialogueVarious dining halls; Students & faculty Join your professors for dinner at a Stanford dining hall! A list of participating professors and their bios can be found on the signup sheet. Sign up here |
7:00–10:00pm
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Election Night Watch PartyThe Arbor / Treehouse; Students Watch election returns come in with other students at The Arbor! Free food will be available from Treehouse. Co-sponsored by the Vice President of Student Affairs and Office of Student Engagement. |

Beloved Economies
A conversation about reimagining and democratizing how we work, as a pathway to futures that work for all. This event will be November 8th from 12:15-1:30 in Otero Lounge. Register here!

Streets of Gold: America’s Untold Story of Immigrant Success
In a special Democracy Day seminar, Ran Abramitzky, Stanford Federal Credit Union Professor of Economics and Senior Associate Dean for the Social Sciences, will share findings from Streets of Gold: America’s Untold Story of Immigrant Success, a new book from Public Affairs co-authored with Leah Boustan, Professor of Economics at Princeton University.
Stanford's inaugural Democracy Day took place on November 2, 2021.
Do you have thoughts about any of the 2021 events? Please submit feedback here.
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