University of Massachusetts Amherst

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Results from a University of Massachusetts/WCVB poll released Aug. 14 show that 23% of Massachusetts residents polled are in favor of changing Native American symbols on the Massachusetts flag and 78% of those polled fear a second wave of COVID-19.  (WWLPWWLPNews office release)

Paul Musgrave, political science, has written a column about how President Trump has “weaponized” the art of wasting everyone’s time, issuing proclamations that lead his opponents to scramble and invest valuable time, energy and money in an effort to resist proposals that may come to nothing anyway. (The Washington Post, 8/14/20)

A new poll from UMass Amherst and WCVB questioned Massachusetts registered voters about the presidential election and the direction of the country and the commonwealth.  Respondents were asked, if the presidential election were held today, who would you vote for? Sixty-one percent of respondents said former Vice President Joe Biden, while 28% chose President Donald Trump. A combined 9% said “other” or they were not sure. Two percent of respondents said they probably wouldn’t vote. (WCVB-TVMSNBC; 8/13/20)

A new UMass Amherst / WCVB poll shows incumbent Sen. Edward Markey leading challenger Rep. Joseph Kennedy III by 15 points in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary, notably expanding Markey’s lead since the last time the race was polled by UMass Amherst in February“With three weeks until Election Day, a majority of the Commonwealth’s likely Democratic voters have thrown their support behind incumbent Senator Edward Markey in his primary race against Representative Joseph Kennedy III,” says Tatishe Nteta, associate professor of political science and director of the poll. (WCVB, MassLive, WBSM Radio [New Bedford], 8/12/20; News Office release)

Two exemplary staff members have been recognized this spring for their outstanding work in the UMass Amherst College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS). Amy Grieger, undergraduate program advisor for the Department of Political Science, and Hind Elkalai, administrative assistant for the Department of Political Science, were chosen by their peers from a pool of deserving nominees.

The Outstanding Staff Award is presented to staff who have made a positive impact on SBS by fostering creativity, collaboration, integrity, and innovative work processes or systems.

Justin Gross, UMass political science, and Joshua Braun, journalism, appeared on the program “Connecting Point” to discuss the ranked-choice voting ballot question in Massachusetts and the history of the press in the United States, respectively.

A new report published this week details a number of steps that can be taken following the 2020 elections to ensure data security and privacy rights of individuals. The report, published by the National Academy of Public Administration as part of its Academy Election 2020 Project, recommends actions – some new, others building upon efforts currently underway – that the authors believe should be taken in 2021 by the next presidential administration.

Paul Musgrave, political science, is quoted in an article examining the possibility of Susan Rice, former national security advisor to Barack Obama, being named the vice presidential candidate for presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden. (Yahoo!NewsMSN.com, 7/31/20)

Congratulations to Jane Fountain, whose co-authored paper as part of the National Academy of Public Administration Election 2020 Project was recently published. Jane's working group, "Ensure Data Security and Privacy Rights of Individuals" makes recommendations for the next administration that include policy and workforce initiatives.

Elizabeth Sharrow, public policy, is cited in a New York times article regarding a study she participated in called "The First-Daughter Effect," Read the article here. (New York Times, 7/25/2020)

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