Shawn Griffiths
Shawn is an election reform expert and National Editor of IVN.us. He studied history and philosophy at the University of North Texas. He joined the IVN team in 2012.
Articles by Shawn
Why Can't Maine Use Ranked Choice Voting in Certain Elections? Its Supreme Court Just Answered – Again
In Maine, ranked choice voting is used in primary elections, US House and Senate general elections – even in presidential elections. However, the state Supreme Court issued an opinion this week that it can’t be used to decide races for governor and the state legislature....
09 Apr, 2026
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4 min read
Half of US States Are Now in Revolt Over Money in Politics
Idaho became the 25th state Wednesday to formally urge Congress to propose a constitutional amendment that allows federal and state legislative bodies to have greater authority over the flow of money in US politics. ...
08 Apr, 2026
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2 min read
10 States Where Independent Voters Will Decide the 2026 Elections
The 2026 midterm elections are already underway as states conduct their primary elections – and independent voters are expected to have a major impact on results from California to Maine and in several places in-between. ...
07 Apr, 2026
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9 min read
Michigan GOP Kicks Out RCV Advocates, Calls Them ‘Communists’ over Reform Republicans Use
On March 28, the ranked choice voting advocacy group, Rank MI Vote was kicked out of the Michigan Republican Party Convention. Reports say one Republican state lawmaker called volunteers “communists” and even threatened physical violence....
06 Apr, 2026
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14 min read
Democracy Reformers Admit Their Biggest Problem: They Keep Talking to Themselves
At the March 25 Democracy Network Exchange meeting, reform advocates confronting 2024 losses on ranked choice voting and other ballot measures pointed to a hard truth: insider language, weak grassroots investment, and abstract messaging are still undermining structural reform campaigns. ...
31 Mar, 2026
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5 min read
Can a Party Call Itself ‘Independent’? Judge Accuses No Labels Party of ‘Bait-and-Switch’
The No Labels Party in Arizona cannot change its name to the Arizona Independent Party. This is the decision from Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Gregory Como, who called it a “political bait-and-switch.” ...
30 Mar, 2026
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12 min read
Independent Voters Are Dominating the 2026 Primary Conversation
The media does not often cover the impact independent voters have in elections until after the primaries. However, in 2026, this growing segment of voters – who make up nearly half of the electorate – is harder to ignore in these critical early contests....
25 Mar, 2026
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2 min read
Chad Bianco’s 650,000-Ballot Seizure Puts California Governor Race in National Spotlight
Riverside County sheriff and California gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco has bolstered his national name ID after he seized over 650,000 ballots cast in the 2025 special election for Proposition 50....
23 Mar, 2026
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4 min read
My Next Congressman Won His Primary with 24% of the Vote
Illinois conducted its 2026 primary elections Tuesday, and in some cases the winner advanced to November with around or less than 30% of the vote. In my congressional district, IL-7, State Representative La Shawn Ford won his primary with roughly 24% of the vote....
18 Mar, 2026
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4 min read