Forty-five percent of Americans now identify as independent. That’s a plurality. Independents are the fastest-growing grouping of voters in many states. And yet, when it comes to the national conversation about politics, the independent voice is nearly invisible — drowned out by two parties who have every institutional incentive to keep it that way.
That’s exactly what Open Primaries’ Independents’ Spokesperson Training is designed to change.
In a recent training, we asked participants to finish one sentence: “I’m an independent (or I’m independent-minded) because…” The responses were varied, personal, and powerful. Different states. Different life experiences. One common thread: they had all made a deliberate choice to be independent, and they had something to say about it.
Watch the video. Then keep reading.
About the Spokesperson Training
Since its launch in 2021, Open Primaries’ Spokesperson Training has worked with 320 participants in 45 states, Washington, DC and the Virgin Islands. They include lifelong activists and first-time volunteers, elected officials and people who have never run for anything, seasoned public speakers and people who have never spoken publicly about their political identity.
Veterans, educators, healthcare workers, and community organizers who see primary reform as directly connected to issues they care about. Former Democrats and former Republicans who left their parties and want to explain why. Lifelong independents who have never felt represented by either party and younger voters frustrated that the system was built as if they don’t exist. What they share: a belief that the independent voice deserves to be heard—and a willingness to be part of making that happen.
Over the years, the training has also become a go-to resource across the broader political reform movement. National organizations including the Forward Party, Independent Veterans of America, Veterans for All Voters, and The Good Party — alongside local reform campaigns and civic organizations — regularly refer their volunteers and members to participate. The range of participants is not incidental—it is what makes Open Primaries’ Independent Spokesperson Training special.
The Spokesperson Training, which I host, takes place on Zoom. It is a focused, practical session that is unique in combining education and performance training. Participants view a presentation on the independent political landscape, then engage in a Q&A with Jackie Salit—founder of IndependentVoting.org, national board member of the Forward Party, and co-director of the Center for Independent and Sustainable Democracy at ASU. They then receive performance coaching from top trainers—and independents—Cathy Salit, Maureen Kelly, and Madelyn Chapman.
The work is grounded in a simple premise: Everyone has a story to tell about why they’re independent and those stories are critical if we’re going to change our political culture. Crucially, the training does not ask participants to adopt a single message or speak on behalf of a platform. It asks them to speak on behalf of themselves. That authenticity is what makes it work.
Changing that system requires political will—and political will requires a story. Not talking points. Not party-approved language. A real story, told by real people, about why they chose independence and what it costs them not to have a voice. Some participants come in with media experience and want to sharpen their messaging. Others have never spoken publicly about their political identity and want to find language for something they’ve felt for years but never quite named. Both are welcome. What they share: a belief that the independent voice deserves to be heard—and a willingness to be part of making that happen.
“This training helped me to formulate powerful messaging around allowing independents to access their rights to vote in every election. I highly recommend engaging in this workshop.” — Barbara Stallone, Executive Director, People4Utah
“The training can be different for each person. For me, it solidified my suspicions. Freedom isn’t free. Staying on the sidelines isn’t optional. Politics is a contact sport. Let’s organize, sharpen our message and get going. That’s what the training meant to me.” — Nasser Ghaleb, Veteran
"This training has given me the language to articulate my thoughts about being an independent voter and increased my confidence in being able to take action steps to bring independent voters out of the ‘dark’ and to highlight their essential role in our political system.” — Kira Herbert, Educator
Apply for the May 18 Training
The next Spokesperson Training takes place on May 18. Space is limited.
You do not need to be a public speaker. You do not need prior experience. You need to be an independent voter who is ready to talk about it.
Apply here.
About The Author
Gwen Mandell is Director of Leadership Development at Open Primaries and the organizer and host of the Independents' Spokesperson Training. She can be contacted at gmandell@openprimaries.org