John Opdycke - Independent Voter News

Independent Voters Decide Elections. What Do They Get in Return?

Independent voters have become a decisive force at the ballot box. The next question is whether that influence can translate into lasting political power.

By John Opdycke

September 30, 2026

Independent Voters Decide Elections. What Do They Get in Return?

Perot 2.0 Isn’t a Candidate. It’s a Movement

Independent candidates are multiplying, independent voters are organizing, and the two-party system is facing a challenge it thought it had buried decades ago.

By John Opdycke

September 1, 2026

Perot 2.0 Isn’t a Candidate. It’s a Movement

America’s Closed Primary System Runs on Fake Party Membership

Closed primaries do not protect party purity—they force independent voters to register with parties they do not believe in just to have a meaningful voice.

By John Opdycke

August 3, 2026

America’s Closed Primary System Runs on Fake Party Membership

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,

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

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