The way to avoid picking the “lesser of two evils” is to implement proportional representation, or at least instant-runoff voting. Almost every country in central and western Europe uses proportional

This is a fascinating interactive map about the state of abortion laws nationally: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/us-abortion-map/?Post+generic=%3Ftid%3Dsm_twitter_washingtonpost

Jim, I doubt he runs after losing in the 2010 Gov Primary and then being trounced in 2012. It is a shame because he was a good Congressman for my father’s district. However, perhaps this more evidence that some

This is good news for prosecutors in California. While I believe that criminals should have important rights, these rights should prevent the prosecution from doing it’s job, especially in cases like child sex trafficking.

Many thanks. I tried to take as unbiased, un-politically motivated stance as would be possible when discussing elections.

In honor of our Constitution, why don’t we do something about it!!!!

I would simply like to see the main presidential debates run by a non-affiliated independent organization. As it is, it’s the most widely televised debate in the country. Combined with free publicity for the two

I think you’ve captured the crux of the real debate more than anywhere I’ve seen. While most talk about “electing D’s and R’s”, its really about the type of representatives we elect and who they are accountable to.

Cool article. There is still way to many states that have closed primaries thus disenfranchising the growing number of independents/unaffiliated voters. Without going as far as implementing top two primaries

a lot of voters get upset when it comes down to the lesser of two evils in the general election. this is exactly what the electoral system produces, rather than encouraging candidates to appeal to a broader base

Agreed. Political parties have always existed and are needed to organized the political world. However, when the main parties are being rejected by a growing number of citizens, something needs to change.

that’s a noble aspiration but I think the reality of not just the american political process but politics in general is such that more rigid affiliations like party structures are an inevitability. the key for me

While it’s a good sign that the major parties aren’t as dominant as they have been, (competition is a good thing, right?), I would be much more thrilled if satisfaction in any political party was lower.

For me,

This is good analysis of the current situation. Spot on.

I would like to buy a churro machine from Joe Perretta! Does anyone know how to get a hold of him????

Thanks Richard, it was quite the trek, slogging through the various secretary of state websites. I’m really blown away no one compiles all this data in one central place already.

For me, being registered as an independent voter means being registered the correct way. The writing and adoption of the Constitution created independent voter and independent candidates for office by saying

Great post, quick and to the point. To me, being independent means not just accepting a position on an issue without critically thinking about it. It’s rather subjective and it’s almost impossible to tell if

I was talking about this yesterday. Imagine what a failed launch of nuclear waste into space would look like! I’d be a bit hesitant to put tons of nuclear waste on a rocketship into the air.

But at some point

Why would any Independent want to vote with the person who aligns with the party that is so over the top, un-Independent, and not interested in governing at its very ideological core?

Why choose the people who

The probem I have with these wipes is nuclear powered energy leaves in its wake mass distruction and messy hot active crap that needs to be stored for thousands of years. are you kidding me? we store it on Indian

I am amazed that the numbers are that high. Especially in closed primary states where you can’t even vote unless you join a party.

Even 25% is 10x higher than 2.5% Richard.

To me, it means approaching each issue on its own merits; no self-starters.

It’s a lot of work gathering this kind of data, and I salute Alex for doing it. I do it in even numbered years. The last time I did it, for all the states in the nation that have registration by party or

The frustrating thing is that laws like this aren’t meant to contribute to ethical abortion policies, they’re stepping stones toward banning abortion entirely. In other words, if the far right can’t outlaw

I’ve seen far fewer Democrats looking to buck the party line but they are still out there. Would be great to look into who’s trying to pull the two sides together on the blue side of the aisle.

On the contrary Don. Are you talking about my paraphrasing what a former White house adviser said?. It just adds to the fact that there are millions of people not satisfied with, particularly with Congress for not

So, instead of trying to create even better standards, we’re just pushing for these standards because they are better than before? Well that seems like a great solution. Yes, something is better than nothing,

I’m waiting for politicians to start proposing nuclear waste be sent into outer space because nobody wants to dedicate time or funding to find viable, long-term waste solutions.

I hope this is a trend for the rest of the nation. Maryland’s district maps have been gerrymandered beyond recognition.

For me, it means making my own decisions and staying true to my beliefs, not necessarily voting in accordance with party lines. However, it also means registering with a party because the partisan-primary system

It’s not, which was actually something I wanted to follow up on. But taking nuclear completely out of the equation puts a strain on every other source to produce more. Judging from a map of every energy source in

In some cases, yes. In others, it really has to do with the candidates themselves. In Michigan, the lines are very clear – West Michigan is heavily conservative, around Detroit and Flint, it is very liberal with