John Opdycke - Independent Voter News

Gallup: Independent Voters Hit 45% – So Why Does the Political Establishment Keep Pretending They Don’t Matter?

Gallup released its latest identification numbers, and independent voters are now 45%. Nobody disputes the data. But there are competing opinions as to what the data means.

By John Opdycke and Paul Rieckhoff

/ January 28, 2026

Gallup: Independent Voters Hit 45% – So Why Does the Political Establishment Keep Pretending They Don’t Matter?

The Gerrymandering Fight is About Democracy -- But Not for the Reasons You Think

The Texas GOP made two significant moves in the last few months to enhance their chances in the 2026 midterms. The first made national headlines and provoked a Democratic Party response. The second has flown under the radar.

By John Opdycke

/ October 20, 2025

The Gerrymandering Fight is About Democracy -- But Not for the Reasons You Think

Hate Gerrymandering? Let’s Start Voting in Primaries

Responding to pressure from President Trump, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Republican-controlled legislature are moving forward with a plan to redraw their district lines in advance of the 2026 midterms. Democrats are contemplating how to fight back and blunt any gains the GOP makes in Texas by

By John Opdycke

/ August 7, 2025

Hate Gerrymandering? Let’s Start Voting in Primaries

Facing Defections from Working-Class Voters, Democrats Turn to Independents for Help

Democrats are taking stock. Some are arguing for a major overhaul in light of growing defections of working-class, Black, and Latino voters. Others want to stay the course. Some want to work with Trump when possible while others advocate for a program of permanent resistance.

By John Opdycke

/ February 25, 2025

Facing Defections from Working-Class Voters, Democrats Turn to Independents for Help

Independent Voters Face Abuse and Intimidation in Tennessee Primaries

Last week, I recorded a podcast interview with Gabe Hart. Gabe lives in western Tennessee and is a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging voter suppression signs that are hung at every poll site in Tennessee on primary day.

By John Opdycke

/ July 16, 2024

Independent Voters Face Abuse and Intimidation in Tennessee Primaries

Biden's Problem with Independents: His Party Is Constantly Insulting Them

Biden is connected to the Democratic Party. In fact, he is the Democratic Party. And there is no organization more oblivious to how it ignores and disrespects independent voters than the Democratic Party.

By John Opdycke

/ April 7, 2024

Biden's Problem with Independents: His Party Is Constantly Insulting Them

What If Neither Party Is Capable of Governing?

Editor's Note: This op-ed originally appeared in The Fulcrum and has been republished in its entirety on IVN with permission from the publisher. The author, John Opdycke, is

By John Opdycke

/ November 9, 2023

The Nation Is Watching Nonpartisan Reformers Make History in 2020

Thanks to your continued commitment, the fight for nonpartisan reform has never been stronger and more unified! Last week, 200 people turned out for our second NANR spotlight to hear

By John Opdycke

/ September 17, 2020

The Nation Is Watching Nonpartisan Reformers Make History in 2020

A Tale of Two Elections: A Nationwide Referendum and a Revolt Against the Two-Party Duopoly

There were two elections on November 6. The first was a national referendum on President Trump that saw Democrats win a majority in the House of Representatives after nearly a

By John Opdycke

/ November 20, 2018

A Tale of Two Elections: A Nationwide Referendum and a Revolt Against the Two-Party Duopoly

Two-Party Extremism Has The Country on Edge, But We Have the Remedy

I spoke with Jennifer Bullock, the Founder of Independent Pennsylvanians and the Director of the Philadelphia Social Therapy Group. Jennifer talked about what it is like organizing independent voters while

By John Opdycke

/ June 27, 2018

Two-Party Extremism Has The Country on Edge, But We Have the Remedy

[Podcast] Facebook Helped us Communicate, But Failed to Bring Us Together

I sat down with Erin Mazursky, Founder and CEO of Rhize, to talk about her work as a movement builder and her experience as a Florida Obama for America organizer

By John Opdycke

/ April 27, 2018

[Podcast] Facebook Helped us Communicate, But Failed to Bring Us Together

Voters, Not Politicians: The Fight to End Partisan Gerrymandering Rages On [Podcast]

Katie Fahey, President and Treasure of Voters Not Politicians, is leading an effort to establish a citizen's redistricting commission in Michigan. She and her team have built a

By John Opdycke

/ March 15, 2018

Voters, Not Politicians: The Fight to End Partisan Gerrymandering Rages On [Podcast]