The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia mourns the passing of Center for Politics Board of Advisors Vice Chair James D. “Jim” Comerford (’81), who passed away Sunday, April 21 at the age of 64. Jim had an incredible love of politics and its history, amassing one of the preeminent collections of political and campaign memorabilia. He shared most of his collection with the Center, actively engaging with the Center on how to develop teaching resources for UVA students and participants in the Center’s K-12 civics curricula through the Youth Leadership Initiative. His recollection f ..read more

Hundreds of Center for Politics at UVA alumni, students, staff and friends convened on Grounds to celebrate twenty-five academic years of youth civics education, election analysis, international programming, research and teaching on April 5 and 6 with a weekend of events that raised $1.2 million towards the Center’s future expanded home at Montesano. The weekend kicked off with a panel featuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly, and the Center’s managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball Kyle Kondik ..read more

The Center for Politics at UVA announced Monday, March 25 that Martin Luther King III has accepted an appointment to serve as a Professor of Practice with the Center for Politics. Mr. King is the second Professor of Practice to join the Center for Politics alongside former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), who joined the Center in March 2023. Mr. King’s appointment is effective immediately. “I am delighted to join the Center for Politics as a Professor of Practice at the University of Virginia, and to do so during the anniversary month when my father addressed UVA 61 years ago makes this appoint ..read more

(CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) – On Sunday, March 17, the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia kicks off the Youth Ambassadors Program with Argentina and Chile, which features 12 high-achieving youth leaders and two educators. The exchange is operated by the Center’s Global Perspectives on Democracy Program in partnership with World Learning and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. After arriving, the group will participate in a series of educational events and activities focusing on leadership development and civic engagement. Participants will lodge with area host families. Members ..read more

(CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) — Center for Politics students are partnering with UVA President Jim Ryan for “Run with Jim to the Polls.” UVA students, family, and community members are invited to meet at the steps of Madison Hall, 1827 University Ave., at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, for a run or walk from Grounds to the Venable and Slaughter polling locations, which serve UVA students. Members of the broader Charlottesville community are welcome to join. The Center for Politics students working with Center for Politics Academic Programs Officer Carah Ong Whaley this year have partnered with entitie ..read more

(CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) — Center for Politics students are partnering with UVA President Jim Ryan for “Run with Jim to the Polls.” UVA students, family, and community members are invited to meet at the steps of Madison Hall, 1827 University Ave., at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, for a run or walk from Grounds to the Venable and Slaughter polling locations, which serve UVA students. Members of the broader Charlottesville community are welcome to join. The Center for Politics students working with Center for Politics Academic Programs Officer Carah Ong Whaley this year have partnered with entitie ..read more

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) —  On Wednesday, Nov. 1, the University of Virginia Center for Politics’ Global Perspectives on Democracy program and UVA European Studies Program will host an Ambassador Series event with His Excellency Jacques Pitteloud, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States. Ambassador Pitteloud will speak on the relationship between Switzerland and the U.S. and the latest issues impacting the country and region. Following the Ambassador’s speech, he will participate in audience Q&A. UVA Center for Politics Director of Global Initiatives Daman Irby will introduce the ..read more

(CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.) – On Monday, Oct. 9, the University of Virginia Center for Politics kicked off the Youth Ambassadors Program with Bolivia and Peru. The program features 13 high-achieving youth leaders and two educators from these countries. The exchange is operated by the Center’s Global Perspectives on Democracy Program in partnership with World Learning and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. After their arrival, the Youth Ambassadors will participate in a number of educational programs and activities focusing on leadership de ..read more

(CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) – Former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is the recipient of the Center for Politics’ second annual Defender of Democracy Award. Wilder, a Democrat, was the nation’s first elected Black governor, winning election in 1989. Center for Politics Director Larry J. Sabato will present Wilder with the award at a luncheon event at the University of Virginia’s Rotunda Dome Room on Friday, Sept. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the presentation itself beginning around 12:15 p.m. “Time and time again, Doug Wilder achieved what most others believed was impossible, battling ag ..read more

Deep-seated distrust persists among political factions; Biden narrowly edges Trump in potential 2024 showdown (CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) — A new national study by the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia reveals a stunning number of Americans endorsing policies that could challenge the U.S. Constitution, even as a majority express a preference for democracy over other forms of governance. This study of 2,008 U.S. registered voters conducted from Aug. 25 to Sept. 11, 2023, is the initial phase of a series by the Center for Politics’ Project Home Fire to gauge sentiments as the 2024 pre ..read more