The “Disaffected” Interview with Sean Pittman
Interviewed by Troy Johnson
Published: Saturday, December 7, 2024
What inspired you to write Disaffected?
Throughout my travels working on political campaigns and movements, a persistent issue I saw across the country was the disconnect between citizens and the voting process. Year after year, I noticed the growing number of people who felt left out of the political process or doubted their vote could make a difference. I wanted to explore that disconnect—to look at the barriers that keep people from voting and to understand what drives this apathy. I believe our democracy is strongest when everyone participates, and my goal was to illustrate that every single vote truly does matter.
You tackle a broad range of voting issues to highlight your theory, “Every Vote Counts” how does relate to your background?
My background is in law and politics, with years spent advising candidates and various citizen-led initiatives. I've been on the front lines, seeing how different local, state, and federal regulations and policies can either encourage or stifle voter turnout. Over time, I realized that these systemic issues weren't always obvious to the average person, and I wanted to bring these realities to light. My experiences interacting with communities across the political spectrum helped shape this book, blending my perspective with the social implications of limited access to voting.
How did you narrow down the chapters in the book?
Time and prayer. Kidding, but, in all seriousness, choosing the chapters was about finding cases and examples best to illustrate the broader themes of access and apathy. I selected issues that were both immediate and universal: voter ID laws, gerrymandering, the impact of misinformation, and socioeconomic barriers, to name a few. Each chapter provides a window into different facets of voter disenfranchisement, showing how policy and perception affect turnout. I wanted to provide readers with clear, relatable examples that paint a picture of what is happening nationwide.
What part of the United States had the most issues related to your theory of “Every Vote Counts?”
Being based out of Florida, the Southeast is a prime example, particularly states like Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, which provide striking examples of the challenges facing voters. These regions have histories with complex voter laws that can sometimes be more restrictive. At the same time, these areas also experience close elections, where a few votes really can swing the outcome. Here, the “every vote counts” message becomes undeniable. These states underscore both the power and vulnerability of the individual vote in highly contested races.
How can the reader get someone who is still sitting on the fence to vote?
The most effective way to encourage someone to vote is to make it personal. I'd advise readers to talk to the people in their lives about the issues they care about and show them how they are impacted by voting. People are more likely to vote if they can connect it to something they're passionate about or understand how policies affect their daily lives. I encourage people to show up together—making it a community experience. Voting can feel like an obligation but can also be an empowering shared event.
The book is timely, so what has been the response?
The response has been energizing. Readers are telling me they see their frustrations reflected in the stories I share in Disaffected. Many have said the book has changed how they view their role in our democracy. Some didn't realize the extent of the barriers that others face in voting, and now they feel motivated to advocate for broader access.
Overall, people are connecting with the message that we can address this disillusionment by fostering a culture of engagement and removing the barriers that keep people from the ballot box. The response has reinforced for me that this work is necessary, and that people are ready to address these challenges head-on.