I just don't understand why any candidate would ever say that they weren’t going to go after every single vote… the way forward for consensus building is candidates that represent the broadest number of people possible.” - Cara McCormick

In this episode, Chad Peace and Cara McCormick unpack the viral exchange between CBS’s Julie Watts and gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter - a clip that sparked headlines but also exposes how California’s limiting election rules shape campaign incentives. What did the interview actually show, and why did it touch such a nerve? Chad and Cara use the moment to explore coalition-building in a “top two” primary world - one that they both have had extensive experience navigating in their own political careers.

They then zoom out to the 2026 field: Toni Atkins has exited the race while Ian Calderon has jumped in - moves that underscore how dynamic the contest remains and how strategies shift when everyone appears on a single primary ballot. What does that mean for independents and crossover voters in June - and for consensus-building in November?

Next, Chad and Cara break down how California’s nonpartisan “top two” actually works, the tradeoffs voters experience, and why some reformers favor a Final Five (open top-five primary + ranked-choice general) to reward broader appeal. They compare California’s system to Alaska’s top-four + RCV model to show how different rules nudge different candidate behavior - and voter power.

Finally, they connect the dots to a national court fight unfolding now: the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections case on whether a federal candidate has standing to challenge counting mail ballots that arrive after Election Day. It’s a narrow procedural question with wide implications for trust in the process. Chad and Cara explain what the justices are weighing and why it matters to independents - without choosing sides.

If you’re tired of echo chambers, this episode delivers context over outrage - true to the Independent Voter Podcast’s mission to challenge partisan binaries and elevate reforms that put voters first.

Listen to this episode and more from Independent Voter Project on Spotify and Apple Music.