Nearly 232,000 independent voters cast ballots in North Carolina's first five days of early voting, an 88% increase from 2022. Independents now represent 40% of registered voters in the state and are showing up at polls in unprecedented numbers.
California's nonpartisan primary system sometimes produces general elections featuring two Democrats or Republicans. Political observers are watching closely to see if voters from the other party will participate in these same-party races.
In California's first-ever race for an elected insurance commissioner between two Democrats, state Sen. Ben Allen fights to overcome Jane Kim's lead from the June 2 primary.
Independent voters could decide Texas elections this year, with 60% supporting the Democratic US Senate nominee and 55% backing the Democratic governor candidate in new polling, a stark shift from 2024.
From Massachusetts to Alaska, voters will decide on ballot measures this November that would reshape how Americans vote, including open primaries and ranked choice voting systems. But these movements extend beyond the ballot box.
A campaign backed by both Democratic and GOP leaders is pushing to repeal the nonpartisan primary and lock out independents. But three statewide candidates are breaking ranks with both major parties to defend voting rights for the 5.3 million Californians who don't identify with a party.
