Project Good Podcast

Host Annmarie Hylton introduces the Project Good podcast’s special “vote 2026” episode on why voting matters as midterm elections near, with public concerns including the economy, rising costs, education, and political corruption. She interviews Rebekah Caruthers, president and CEO of Fair Election Center, who shares her family’s complicated American history and argues the U.S. must continually strive to “build better.” Caruthers explains how misinformation versus disinformation undermines trust and functions as voter suppression, alleging the current president is using federal power to restrict voting. She directs listeners to nonpartisan state-by-state voter guides at fairelectioncenter.org, advises naturalized citizens to vote early to allow time to resolve issues, and notes it is against federal law to send armed federal law enforcement to polling places. The episode closes by urging voters to research ballots, candidates, and initiatives and participate in shaping a multiracial representational democracy.

00:00 Welcome to Project Good
00:47 Meet Rebekah Caruthers
02:17 America Is Complicated
05:14 Does Your Vote Count
08:27 Trusted Voting Resources
10:27 Immigrants and Voting Rights
13:32 America’s Democratic Crossroads
18:53 Get Motivated to Vote
21:26 Wrap Up and Next Steps

Rebekah Caruthers is President & CEO at Fair Elections Center, a national voting rights organization. She served as Vice President for four and a half years. For 20 years prior, Caruthers worked on issue and electoral campaigns, candidates, and organizations like MoveOn.org, Everytown for Gun Safety, the National Democratic Training Committee, Equal Justice Works, and the National Network for Arab American Communities.

Caruthers worked on the Affordable Care Act in Congressman John Dingell’s office before becoming director of a lobby shop for an energy trade association. She has appeared on national and international media, and is a regular contributor for the Roland Martin Unfiltered daily digital show.

Caruthers studied law at the University of Nebraska College of Law, studied abroad in South Africa through Howard University School of Law, and Creighton University for her undergraduate studies. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Metropolitan (DC) Chapter of the Links, Inc., and the DC Bar.