This program is a part of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s national initiative, “Why It Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation,” which will explore civic participation as it relates to electoral engagement in a multivocal democracy. In partnership with the Federation of State Humanities Councils, programs will be conducted in 43 US states and territories throughout the course of the initiative. “Why It Matters” will provide free humanities programs conducted by the US state and territorial humanities councils to engage the public in collaborative, accessible, and thought-provoking dialogues on the importance of electoral and civic participation.