Are elections democratic - and can they ever be? In this course, we examine the politics of elections in the United States to, first, assess whether elections can secure an American future that is representative of all persons and, second, explore what can be done institutionally and individually to realize that goal. Indeed, because the United States is a nation marked by complex histories of voter disenfranchisement, contemporary feelings of ideological polarization, and declining trust in electoral processes and governmental institutions, we will test our assumptions by undertaking an exploration of scholarly literature on the ideals of democratic representation and the role of elections within them, even as we engage practically with the processes of voting, the lived experiences of political difference, the influence of money on elections, the power of media in campaigns, and more. As this course will take place during an election year, we will move between the classroom and our community, such that we make tangible connections between what we learn and what we observe - and, in doing so, envision a more democratic future for all.