A panel at Winthrop University Thursday will explore the online nominating process and how technology-related trends are affecting the voting process.

The panel, entitled "Americans Elect: An Alternative Presidential Nomination Process," will begin at 11 a.m. at Dina's Place in the DiGiorgio Campus Center.

Americans Elect Policy Director Brian Findlay will participate in the discussions, along with Patrice Brunea, the director of technical services at the university; Nakia Pope, associate professor of education and assistant dean of University College; and Adolphus Belk, associate professor political science.

Student body president Kambrell Garvin will moderate the discussion.

During the panel, discussion will revolve around Americans Elect's online nominating process, and how technology, especially social media trends, give voters a "direct, unprecedented impact in the way we choose our leaders," according to a release.

Americans Elect is a non-profit organization that uses technology to give voters an alternative way to nominate a presidential candidate.