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
The US Political System Is Failing Young Voters the Most
In 2024, Gallup found for the first time in the history of its polling that more than half of the electorate identified as independent. The biggest driver of this political shift are young voters, who enter voting age more independent than the generation before them.
Alaska Officials Found Even More Voters Want to Keep State's Nonpartisan Elections System
The Alaska election results have officially been certified and despite calls from Measure 2 supporters for a recount of the ballot initiative's loss by 664 votes, the Alaska Division of Elections re-checked its work before certification and found worse news for them.
Alaska Measure 2 Headed for Long-Shot Recount Funded by Taxpayers
Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom announced this week that taxpayers will foot the bill for a recount of Measure 2, an initiative that sought to repeal Alaska's nonpartisan election system -- but ultimately failed by 664 votes.
Recess Appointments: How Do They Work and Will Trump Be Able to Make Them?
One of the biggest legal questions going into the second term of President-Elect Donald Trump is, will he try to push through cabinet appointments he wants during a congressional recess? And... can he?
In a True Nail-Biter, Alaska Voters Reject Repeal of Top 4 Primary and Ranked Choice Voting
Two weeks after Election Day, Alaska voters finally know the fate of their election system. The choice before them was keep the nonpartisan Top 4 primary system with ranked choice voting in the general election or go back to partisan control over elections.
Constitutional Amendment Filed to End Closed Primaries in Oklahoma
The nonpartisan group Oklahoma United announced Tuesday it has filed a citizen-led constitutional amendment to end closed primaries in the state and implement a nonpartisan primary system open to all voters and candidates.
Newport News Mayor Advocates for Ranked Choice Voting Expansion in Virginia
Ranked choice voting is making inroads in Virginia. First, it was adopted and used in Arlington County. Then, the Charlottesville City Council approved its use. Next door, Washington DC voters overwhelmingly said "Yes" to the reform in 2024.
Is Mobile Voting the Solution to America's Turnout Problem?
In the latest episode of Andrew Yang's Forward Podcast, Yang talks with Tusk Ventures Founder and CEO Badley Tusk about his proposal for secure mobile voting to solve a widespread voter turnout problem in the US.
Yes, Elections Have Consequences -- Primary Elections to Be Specific
Can you imagine a Republican winning in an electoral district in which Democrats make up 41% of the registered electorate? Seems farfetched in much of the country. As farfetched as a Democrat winning in a R+10 district.
Leaders of Pro-Voter Movement for Better Elections to Meet in San Diego
The work to make elections better for voters never stops and no one knows that better than the organizations that put a historic number of systemic reforms on the 2024 ballot. And now, these leaders will gather in San Diego to plan for the future of this massive movement.