Dan Schnur

Dan is a Lecturer at the UC–Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies, Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Public Policy, and the USC’s Annenberg School of Communications, where he teaches courses in politics, communications and leadership.

Independent Voters Can Be Heard in California. The Top-Two Primary Is Worth Defending

California voters broke the political parties’ grip on primary elections in 2010. A new repeal effort raises a fundamental question: Who should get to choose the candidates on the November ballot?

By Lenny Mendonca and Dan Schnur

September 21, 2026

Independent Voters Can Be Heard in California. The Top-Two Primary Is Worth Defending

Someone in Sacramento Is Actually Trying to Solve Problems

California's Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of 26 lawmakers, is quietly working to solve real problems like housing costs and energy by passing bills without partisan conflict.

By Dan Schnur

August 17, 2026

Someone in Sacramento Is Actually Trying to Solve Problems

A Judge Just Ordered Huntington Beach to Give Voters More Choice

A California court’s ranked choice voting remedy is about Latino representation. But it also reflects a larger reality: election systems built around narrow political coalitions routinely leave independent voters outside the room.

By Dan Schnur

July 2, 2026

Judge orders Huntington Beach to use ranked choice voting.

When Two Parties Are Not Enough

Editor's Note: This piece originally appeared on AllSides, and has been republished on IVN with permission from the author. ‍ It is deeply frustrating for many Democrats that Dianne

By Dan Schnur

December 2, 2020

A Nonpartisan Revolution in California Could Challenge Dems' Monopoly

Those of us who inhabit the space in American politics between the 40-yard lines have watched with dismay as the nation’s two major parties retreat to their respective

By Dan Schnur

December 17, 2018