It’s Election Day today in many parts of America, which is an exciting time for a professor of political rhetoric, and for my students.

The Conversation helps me reach beyond the classroom, to analyze political speeches for hundreds of thousands of citizens, from all walks of life. It’s a transformative platform that lets academics like myself explain important issues to the public, unlocking expertise and bringing facts into civic discourse.

Until Election Day next year, in the face of lies, deception, disinformation and half-truths, The Conversation intends to shine as a beacon of facts.

But The Conversation needs your help to thrive and reach increasing numbers of people. Your donation will pay for editors to work with academics to help them analyze and fact-check the plans of both Republicans and Democrats. Your donation helps The Conversation provide our articles at no charge to newspapers in small towns and big cities from Mississippi to Minnesota.

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With gratitude,

Prof. Jennifer Mercieca
Texas A&M University