Politics vs. The Law
Clip: 9/20/2024 | 2m 16sVideo has Closed Captions
Violence could erupt at the polls, in this clip from ‘DEADLOCK: An Election Story.’
It’s nearing closing time at the polls, when violence threatens to erupt. What are the implications for a free and fair election if an armed mob shows up at a polling place? This election day disturbance may be hypothetical, but the issues surrounding it are real. ‘DEADLOCK: An Election Story’ encourages civil dialogue and critical thinking in an era dominated by polarizing debates.
Funding for DEADLOCK: an election story is provided in part by Rick Burnes and PBS Viewers.
Politics vs. The Law
Clip: 9/20/2024 | 2m 16sVideo has Closed Captions
It’s nearing closing time at the polls, when violence threatens to erupt. What are the implications for a free and fair election if an armed mob shows up at a polling place? This election day disturbance may be hypothetical, but the issues surrounding it are real. ‘DEADLOCK: An Election Story’ encourages civil dialogue and critical thinking in an era dominated by polarizing debates.
How to Watch DEADLOCK
DEADLOCK is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Buy Now
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- Eddie, your job is to stand outside at the polls because polling time closes in 30 minutes.
Somebody needs to stand there and tell folks that if they get in the line before 7:00, they're good.
They can vote, they're still okay.
But if they get in the line after seven, they're outta luck.
Can't vote.
It's now 6:45, and you see a group of people, a crowd down the street heading this way.
You can hear them chanting.
They're chanting, fight the fraud.
They get a little closer.
Your stomach drops.
They're carrying guns, not pointing them, but holding them in an accessible and visible way.
They're staring you down, 300 people.
What's going through your mind as you watch this crowd?
- I didn't sign up for this.
(audience laughs) - [Person] That's exactly right.
- Right.
I didn't sign up for this.
- Mr. Sterling, Secretary Fontes.
Does it surprise you that something like this might happen in one of your polling places?
An armed crowd?
- Surprise isn't the right word.
I mean, it is a worst case scenario, obviously, and you don't wanna put it in a situation where it's gonna escalate.
And I'm assuming the sheriff's office will be in contact with us and the war room as well.
- I have a question though.
You and Secretary Fontes working together today, you belong to different parties.
One of you belongs to the Challengers Party, one of you belongs to the Incumbents Party.
Does that make it hard at all today to work together?
- No.
- No.
- Why not?
- Because we're election administrators, we're not politicians.
I may be an elected official, but I can separate my duty from my preference.
And while he may be a member of the other party, he's an American first just like me.
- The law is the law.
You enforce the law.
(audience applauding) You enforce the law without fear or favor, knowing that there's going to be problems, knowing there's going to be issues.
Navigating Election Day: Poll Watchers and Poll Workers
Video has Closed Captions
Learn about poll watchers and poll workers in this clip from DEADLOCK: an election story. (3m 10s)
When Disinformation Meets Social Media
Video has Closed Captions
What ethical actions should be taken when a fake video goes viral on social media? (4m 8s)
Video has Closed Captions
What can and should we do differently as we approach the upcoming elections? (3m 54s)
Video has Closed Captions
A panel of influential figures talks through ethical dilemmas based on a real-life scenario. (1m 14s)
Video has Closed Captions
Experts explore ethical dilemmas, promoting constructive dialogue about polarizing issues. (31s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipFunding for DEADLOCK: an election story is provided in part by Rick Burnes and PBS Viewers.