Betting on Democracy: Prediction Markets, Polls, and the Independent Voter Uprising
In this episode of the Independent Voter Podcast, Chad and Cara dive into the exploding world of political prediction markets with special guest Chris Gerlacher of Prediction News—unpacking how platforms like Kalshi and crypto-based markets are reshaping how insiders gauge races from California gove
"Prediction markets react in real time, and they can show you an edge long before the polls do.” — Chris Gerlacher
In this episode of the Independent Voter Podcast, Chad and Cara dive into the exploding world of political prediction markets with special guest Chris Gerlacher of Prediction News—unpacking how platforms like Kalshi and crypto-based markets are reshaping how insiders gauge races from California governor to New York City mayor. Chad and Cara also highlight Shawn Griffiths’ latest election reform roundup at ivn.us, covering new signature drives in Oregon, Nevada, and Oklahoma to end taxpayer-funded closed primaries and expand rights for independent voters, as well as the gritty reality of signature gathering and ballot access. Plus, Cara breaks down a Politico gerrymandering poll that ignores independent voters and shares how unlikely allies—from Democrats to MAGA Republicans—can find common ground on fixing the system, even in a hyper-polarized era.
Cara and Shawn break down the manufactured "jungle primary" panic out of California (there's roughly an 8% chance of a two-Republican general), then get into Wes Moore's surprise open-primary moment on Bill Maher and the awkward walk back that followed.
In this must-listen episode of the Independent Voter Podcast, Cara Brown McCormick has a one-on-one conversation with former California State Senator and Independent Voter Project Co-Founder Steve Peace to break down what happened in the California governor’s debate.
Chad Peace of the Independent Voter Project sat down this week with Crystal Newton and Scott Gavorsky on their podcast 775 Alive, a Nevada-based show that takes the kind of local civic questions most political media glosses over and really digs into them.
The Independent Voter Project sat down this week with Michelle Glogovac on her podcast Beyond the Campaign, a show that has built a following by doing something most political media doesn't: skipping the talking points and focusing on the people and ideas behind public life.
Cara and Shawn break down the manufactured "jungle primary" panic out of California (there's roughly an 8% chance of a two-Republican general), then get into Wes Moore's surprise open-primary moment on Bill Maher and the awkward walk back that followed.
In this must-listen episode of the Independent Voter Podcast, Cara Brown McCormick has a one-on-one conversation with former California State Senator and Independent Voter Project Co-Founder Steve Peace to break down what happened in the California governor’s debate.
Eric Swalwell went from Democratic frontrunner in the California governor's race to political exile in a matter of days - and somehow nobody in Washington is surprised.
Breaking down Steve Hilton's Trump endorsement, why two Republicans advancing is never going to happen, and how Democrats may be using that fake threat to dismantle nonpartisan primaries altogether.
Independent Voter Podcast
Susan von Seggern