Joe H Pickering Jr - Independent Voter News

To Be Truly Open, More Reform Is Needed to Maine Primaries

Next year, Maine will hold its first open primary election. Every Maine voter — including the 32 percent registered as unaffiliated — will be able to vote. It’s a critical step forward.

By Joe H Pickering Jr

November 20, 2023

The Media Has To Stop Worshipping A Partisan-Controlled Elections Process

Editor's Note: This piece originally appeared in the Portland Press Herald and has been republished on IVN by request and with permission from the author. ‍ Greg Kesich’s

By Joe H Pickering Jr

August 24, 2021

Maine Voters Deserve More Freedom: Support Nonpartisan Open Primaries!

Editor's Note: The following piece was originally published as a "Letter to the Editor" for the Portland Press Herald and has been republiched on IVN by

By Joe H Pickering Jr

April 5, 2021

Guilty Parties: Our Elections Have Been Stolen; Just Not How You Think

Do American voters have a stronger theft case? For years both parties have done their best (or worse) controlling our public American election system. Are they the real guilty parties?

By Joe H Pickering Jr

January 25, 2021

Guilty Parties: Our Elections Have Been Stolen; Just Not How You Think

Editor's Note: This op-ed originally appeared in the Maine Voices section of the Portland Press Herald and has been republished on IVN with permission from the author.

By Joe H Pickering Jr

January 25, 2021

Florida's Open Primaries Amendment Could Help Ensure Voter Liberty for Mainers

Editor's Note: This piece originally published in the Portland Press Herald, and has been republished with permission from the author. ‍ The presidential election on Nov. 3 is nearly

By Joe H Pickering Jr

September 25, 2020

Open Primaries Should Head List of Crisis-Driven Election Reforms

Many Mainers, for the first time, have been confronted with what it means to have their right to vote threatened. It’s a deeply unsettling feeling. Which is why editorial

By Joe H Pickering Jr

June 2, 2020

Letter to the editor: Open elections would ensure a brighter future for Maine

In his March 15 commentary, Sen. Angus King wishes Maine a Happy Birthday and another 200 years. He is certain history will repeat itself. OK. What will he and Maine’

By Joe H Pickering Jr

March 26, 2020

Letter to the Bangor Daily News: Ending party control of elections

Written by Joe Pickering of Mainers for Open Elections, originally published in the Bangor Daily News. “Go Vote,” the March 4 BDN editorial urges. “There is no better way to

By Joe H Pickering Jr

March 5, 2020

OPINION: Voters Must Cast Off the Shackles of Two-Party Control

On Page D1, April 14, in the Portland Press Herald, the headline on Jim Fossel’s column states: “Simplification of tax code would achieve bipartisan goals.” The other, on Brian

By Joe H Pickering Jr

May 2, 2019