Jacksonville State Professor Tackles Election Misinformation Through Civic Education Initiative

In an era of heightened political tension and widespread misinformation, a Jacksonville State University professor is working to combat election-related falsehoods while spearheading a major initiative to strengthen civic education across Alabama.

Dr. Benjamin Gross, a political science professor at JSU, has addressed growing concerns about social media claims suggesting that midterm elections could be halted due to international conflicts. He emphasizes that such scenarios are constitutionally impossible.

“The US Constitution makes very clear that the House of Representatives needs to have an election every two years, and that each Senate position needs to have an election every six years,” Gross explained. “While there is flexibility to move exactly when those elections happen, the actual cycle of a two-year midterm election needs to happen constitutionally.”

Historical precedent supports this position. The United States has consistently maintained its electoral schedule through numerous national crises, including two World Wars, the Great Depression, the 1918 influenza pandemic, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.

The circulation of such misinformation highlights a broader societal issue, according to Gross: many Americans lack fundamental knowledge about how their government functions. This knowledge gap has become increasingly problematic in an age when social media platforms can rapidly amplify false claims.

To address this educational deficit, Gross has taken on leadership of the Center for Leadership in American Principles at Jacksonville State. The center recently secured a substantial $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education through the American History and Civics Seminars Program. These funds will support a comprehensive initiative to enhance civic education throughout Alabama.

“Civic education is learning the responsibilities and the rights to be a member of a political community,” Gross said, underscoring the importance of this knowledge in maintaining a functioning democracy.

The center’s approach focuses on empowering educators who can then bring enriched civics content to students across the state. Beginning this summer, the program will host week-long seminars at Jacksonville State University designed specifically for teachers. These intensive workshops will feature instruction from subject matter experts, hands-on work with historical documents, and educational visits to historically significant sites throughout Alabama.

Recognizing the practical barriers that often prevent teachers from participating in professional development opportunities, the program has been structured to eliminate common obstacles.

“We’re going to provide them with an honorarium,” Gross noted. “We’re going to give them primary sources and tools they can use in the classroom. We’re going to provide their lodging and reimburse them for their travel.”

The initiative will begin with a focus on elementary education, with the first summer seminar tailored for K-5 teachers. Future programs will expand to include middle and high school educators, creating a comprehensive approach to civic education across all grade levels. Interested teachers have until April 17 to submit applications for the inaugural program.

This initiative comes at a critical moment when civic literacy has taken on renewed importance. Recent surveys have consistently shown declining knowledge of governmental processes and constitutional principles among Americans across all age groups.

Education experts suggest that strong civic education not only helps citizens understand their rights and responsibilities but also builds resilience against misinformation. By equipping teachers with enhanced resources and knowledge, the JSU program aims to foster a more informed citizenry prepared to participate meaningfully in democratic processes.

The Center for Leadership in American Principles represents one of the most significant investments in civic education in Alabama’s recent history, potentially serving as a model for similar initiatives nationwide as concerns about civic knowledge continue to grow.