An in-depth look at the Electoral College, its slavery origins, and its impact on society today. The film features four dynamic electors from different parties offering insight into the inner workings of this often-misunderstood institution. A timely, nonpartisan film that will fill a stark information gap in American presidential elections.
SYNOPSIS
ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE? (OPOV?) is a feature documentary that takes an unprecedented look at the Electoral College through the eyes of four presidential electors – a Republican, a Democrat, a Green, and a Kanye West elector – whose motivations range from noble to the absurd.
The film takes place during arguably the most wildly historic elections of our times – when the Electoral College took center stage like never before as political operatives used mechanisms in the Electoral College process to attempt to change the outcome. The film is bookended with never-before-seen footage at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, when violence broke out in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying the Electoral College votes.
The vast majority of Americans do not understand how the Electoral College works or know why we have it in the first place. OPOV? intercuts present-day events with flashbacks of its history – the overlooked role of slavery when it was established and, ultimately, how it dramatically shaped election outcomes and history over time.
By the time the credits roll, OPOV? offers viewers a complex and nonpartisan understanding of this historic institution created in a bygone time while highlighting the connective tissue that links then and now, so urgent and timely questions we’re grappling with today are not separate and apart from our past but directly informed by it in the present.
Director Statement
"The Electoral College is how we elect the highest official in our land, yet the vast majority of Americans don't understand how it works or why we have it in the first place. ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE? is a timely, nonpartisan film that fills this stark information gap at a time when the Electoral College makes headlines in our political discourse, and as we enter a highly consequential presidential election in 2024.
I am the founder of HUMovies, a film and video production company with a mission to develop and produce content that shines a light on areas of culture, politics, and society that have been overlooked, misunderstood, or forgotten. HUM is an acronym for “humans understanding machinery,” by which I mean the metaphorical machinery of our times. HUMovies seek to educate and spark dialogue around timely issues and themes, with the goal of nurturing a deeper understanding between cultures and communities.
As a poet, musician, and multi-media content creator, this project is a reflection of my multidisciplinary artist background fueled and motivated by a topic that has kept me passionately engaged for years.
It is my sincere goal to serve the many communities that form the fabric of the United States through the making of ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE? by enlightening on a confusing topic and forgotten history that belongs to us all, no matter which side of the aisle one happens to sit."
Supporter Statement
"A film about the history and future of The Electoral College is urgent, timely and long overdue. To say that it is a subject matter of the utmost importance and one that every voting citizen in America should view can not be overstated.
Maximina’s film is one that will fill a wide gap in our nation’s awareness about a very old institution of which most have either never learned or never fully understood. Not only will it look to our nation’s past for information and answers, but it will look forward to what the future for democracy in America could look like and show us the tools to fix the imbalances to our voting process now.
For these reasons and for Maximina’s creative vision and her ability to see a project through, I fully endorse this project and I urge you to support this important film."
Dale Franzen
Producer of Hadestown
Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical 2019
ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)
Director/Producer Maximina Juson
In addition to producing and directing ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE? (one of only two films nationally to have been awarded an NEH-production in spring 2021). Maximina Juson is Consulting Producer and Additional Camera for MAMA BEARS, a documentary exploring the transformative experience of conservative, Christian mothers who decide to accept their LGBTQ children, which premiered at SXSW in 2022 — a short version of the film was commissioned by the ACLU and won an Emmy for 2019 Outstanding Documentary Short and two Webby Awards. In 2018, she produced HARLEM RISING for The Harlem Children’s Zone. The documentary, drawing upon 30 years of archival footage, is a history of the organization’s efforts to “break the cycle of generational poverty” for Harlem families. JUSON also directed and produced a video web series for The Washtenaw ID Project, which helps disenfranchised communities and individuals obtain a valid government-issued ID in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
Producer
Daresha Kyi
Daresha is an Emmy Award-winning director and producer. Her latest doc, MAMA BEARS, premiered at SXSW 2022 and has been in 100+ festivals. In 2018, Trans In America: Texas Strong, her short film directed for the ACLU won two Webbys and an Emmy. Her first feature documentary CHAVELA (2017) premiered at the Berlinale and was distributed in over 40 countries.
Christie is an award-winning independent documentary filmmaker with a strong interest in the mechanics and poetry of change. Her work as a Director includes THE CAMPAIGN (Director/Producer/Camera, PBS) following California’s battle over marriage equality and SINGING FOR JUSTICE, (Co-Director / Co-Producer in post-production), a collaboration with historian Estelle Freedman about the late Faith Petric.
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ABOUT YOUR DONATION
Women Make Movies (WMM), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit media arts organization registered with the New York Charities Bureau of New York State and accepts charitable donations on behalf of this project. Your donation will be spent by the filmmaker(s) toward the production and completion of this media project. No services or goods are provided by Women Make Movies, the filmmaker(s) or anyone else associated with this project in exchange for your charitable donation.
Your contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and a confirmation of your donation will be sent via email. WMM will send you an acknowledgement letter in the mail to the address listed for tax purposes.