Cara Brown McCormick - Independent Voter News (Page 13)

Trump Pushes Alcatraz Revival as Calif. Audit Finds State Prisons Unprepared for Natural Disaster Evacuations

As President Donald Trump calls for the reopening and expansion of Alcatraz Island to house the nation’s “most ruthless and violent offenders,” a new state audit raises alarms about California’s state prison system: most state-run facilities are not adequately prepared to evacuate during natural dis

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 5, 2025

Trump Pushes Alcatraz Revival as Calif. Audit Finds State Prisons Unprepared for Natural Disaster Evacuations

Maine Rep. Jared Golden, Known for Independent Streak, Faces Challenge from Paul LePage in Ranked Choice Election

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME-2), one of the most independent voices in Congress, will face a new challenger in 2026: former Maine Governor Paul LePage. Once again conducted under Maine’s ranked choice voting (RCV) system, the race is expected to draw national attention in one of the country’s most compet

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 5, 2025

Maine Rep. Jared Golden, Known for Independent Streak, Faces Challenge from Paul LePage in Ranked Choice Election

LISTEN: The Independent Voter Podcast Debuts — What Drives People to Take on a Broken System?

In the premiere episode of the Independent Voter Podcast, host Chad Peace and guest Cara McCormick take listeners behind the scenes of a movement built not around partisanship, but principle.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 30, 2025

LISTEN: The Independent Voter Podcast Debuts — What Drives People to Take on a Broken System?

Sen. Padilla Pushes, But DEA Nominee Terry Cole Won’t Commit to Cannabis Rescheduling

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 30, DEA administrator nominee Terrance Cole declined to commit to the proposed federal rescheduling of cannabis, leaving a critical policy question unresolved as the process transitions to new leadership under the Trump a

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 30, 2025

Sen. Padilla Pushes, But DEA Nominee Terry Cole Won’t Commit to Cannabis Rescheduling

In 3 States, Partisans Pick the Secretary of State Without Voter or Executive Input

In 47 US states, the secretary of state is a recognized statewide office, and in most of those states, voters get to decide who holds it. But in three 3 states — Maine, Tennessee, and New Hampshire — the legislature holds that power exclusively.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 29, 2025

In 3 States, Partisans Pick the Secretary of State Without Voter or Executive Input

Congressmen Co-Lead Effort to Prohibit Ranked Choice Voting in Federal Elections

US Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska), who was elected under Alaska’s ranked choice voting (RCV) system, and US Rep. Abraham Hamadeh (R-Arizona) are co-leading an effort to prohibit the use of RCV in federal elections.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 29, 2025

Congressmen Co-Lead Effort to Prohibit Ranked Choice Voting in Federal Elections

In Oakland, Barbara Lee's RCV Strategy Seen as Critical to Mayoral Victory

In a dramatic shift following the April 15 special mayoral election in Oakland, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee has been declared the winner, pulling into a commanding lead over former Councilmember Loren Taylor, as vote counting continues.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 18, 2025

In Oakland, Barbara Lee's RCV Strategy Seen as Critical to Mayoral Victory

Sanders and AOC Wrap 'Fighting Oligarchy' Tour and Bernie Takes the Mic at Coachella

US Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrapped up their Fighting Oligarchy Tour on April 16, after a five-day, seven-stop sweep through the West that drew nearly 150,000 people—capping it off with an unexpected appearance by Sanders at the Coachella music festival.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 18, 2025

Sanders and AOC Wrap 'Fighting Oligarchy' Tour and Bernie Takes the Mic at Coachella

On Top of New Tariffs and Proposed Vape Ban, Calif. Cannabis Retailers Also Face an Excise Tax Hike

As California’s legal cannabis industry heads into the second half of 2025, store owners are facing a combination of rising costs that could further disadvantage them against the state’s still-thriving illicit market.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 16, 2025

On Top of New Tariffs and Proposed Vape Ban, Calif. Cannabis Retailers Also Face an Excise Tax Hike

Oakland Votes in Pivotal Mayoral Election with Ranked Choice Voting at the Center

In a critical special election, Oakland voters are casting their ballots on April 15 to replace recalled Mayor Sheng Thao. The election will be decided using ranked choice voting (RCV) and determine who leads the city through 2027, as Oakland faces mounting challenges.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 15, 2025

Oakland Votes in Pivotal Mayoral Election with Ranked Choice Voting at the Center

Barbara Lee Embraces Ranked Choice Strategy as Oakland’s Mayoral Race Enters Final Stretch

With Oakland’s high-stakes special mayoral election coming up on April 15, former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee has released a video outlining a ranked choice voting (RCV) strategy — officially urging her supporters to rank multiple names on their ballots.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 14, 2025

Barbara Lee Embraces Ranked Choice Strategy as Oakland’s Mayoral Race Enters Final Stretch

Tariffs and Vape Ban Could Push California’s Cannabis Market Further Underground

California’s legal cannabis industry, long weighed down by high taxes and regulation, is facing new threats: steep federal tariffs on key imports and a proposed statewide ban on disposable vapes.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 11, 2025

Tariffs and Vape Ban Could Push California’s Cannabis Market Further Underground