Election Reform
Election Reform covers reforms like open and closed primaries, ranked choice voting, campaign finance, redistricting, and others that affect the quality of our representative democracy.
Virginia Expands Ranked Choice Voting After Local Success Stories
The new law makes Virginia’s local ranked choice voting program permanent and broadens it beyond city councils and county boards of supervisors to cover any local governing body, including towns. ...
Why Trump Really Hates Alaska's Ranked Choice Voting
President Trump called Alaska's ranked choice voting system "disastrous" and "very fraudulent" on Friday. He gave his "complete and total support" to the repeal effort heading to Alaska's 2026 ballot....
13 Apr, 2026
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6 min read
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
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
Crowded Mayoral Race Exposes Why Los Angeles Needs Ranked Choice Voting
The city of Los Angeles will hold a primary election on June 2nd in which fourteen people are running for mayor, including a sitting councilmember, a sitting mayor, and a former reality television personality. ...
23 Mar, 2026
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6 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
Ignored, Excluded, Rising: The Training Turning Independent Voters into a Political Force
Open Primaries’ Spokesperson Training has prepared hundreds of independents to share their stories. The next training is May 18. Here’s why it matters—and why you should apply. ...
17 Mar, 2026
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4 min read
John Fetterman Blasts Hypocrisy on Both Sides of the SAVE Act Fight
Fetterman has pointed out that voter ID is an "80-20 issue," citing an August 2025 Pew Research survey that found 83% of American voters support or are okay with requiring photo ID to vote....
16 Mar, 2026
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14 min read
Paul Rieckhoff Tells Stephen Colbert: Voters Shouldn't Have to Pick a Party to Matter
Paul Rieckhoff wears many hats. He is a veteran of the Iraq War, founded Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, national security analyst, author, producer, podcaster, and founder of Independent Veterans of America....
11 Mar, 2026
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2 min read




















