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
Citizen Data: Female Candidates Face Uphill Battle in 2024
Are US voters ready for a madam president? How willing are they to vote for women at the federal level? Citizen Data looked at these questions and what voters' responses might mean for the 2024 election cycle and beyond.
Closed Primaries: The Biggest Voter Suppression Mechanism in Use Today
The nonpartisan reform group Open Primaries released a new video that highlights the current state of a growing movement to reform the way critical taxpayer-funded primary elections are conducted in the US.
NY Green Party: New York Is 'Worst in the Nation' for Voter Choice
New York is unique in the 2024 election cycle: It is the only state that has just two candidates on its presidential ballot. In the last 40 years, this has happened in only one other state: Oklahoma.
Latest Poll Points to Potential Trouble for 'Top Two' Measure in South Dakota
Amendment H, which would implement a nonpartisan top two primary system in South Dakota, may be in serious trouble. That is, if a recent News Watch poll is accurate.
Frank Luntz: Neither Trump nor Harris Are Providing What Voters Truly Want
Political analyst and pollster Frank Luntz joined Foward Party Founder Andrew Yang on his most recent podcast to talk about the state of the 2024 presidential election, and what he's seeing from the data.
Measure 117: Will Oregon Be the Next State to Adopt Ranked Choice Voting?
Two states currently use ranked choice voting at the state level (Maine and Alaska). This number could substantially change with RCV on the ballot in 4 states, including the red state Idaho, the purple state Colorado, and the blue state Oregon.
The Only Thing Missouri Amendment 7 Does Is Ban More Choice Elections
Not much attention is on Amendment 7 in Missouri as millions of dollars have gone into ads for and against other proposals that deal with abortion, online sports betting, and a new casino. However, the amendment will affect the voting rights of every Missouri citizen.
In Alaska, Will Voters Go Back To Elections Controlled by Party Bosses and Special Interests?
Alaska voters have a choice this election: Keep the nonpartisan election reform that opened taxpayer-funded election to all voters and candidates. Or, return to a system where party leaders have the most control over election outcomes.
The Denver Post Makes a Strange Endorsement on Voting Reform in Colorado
The Denver Post Editorial Board has issued an endorsement on Proposition 131 in Colorado, an initiative that calls for a nonpartisan top 4 open primary with ranked choice voting. They ask voters to vote "No," but not because they have doubts about the reform.
Meet Eric Settle: Promising a Nonpartisan Direction for PA's Chief Law Enforcement Office
Pennsylvania is a critical battleground state in the 2024 presidential election and could decide who wins between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. However, it is not the only statewide race voters should be watching.