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# Let Vets Vote. 3.1 Million New Yorkers Locked Out of Primaries. Rieckhoff & IVA Files Landmark Lawsuit
- URL: https://ivn.us/podcasts/let-vets-vote-3-1-million-new-yorkers-locked-out-of-primaries-rieckhoff-iva-files-landmark-lawsuit/
- Published: 2026-10-01T14:45:37.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T14:47:33.000Z
- Description: A new lawsuit backed by independent veterans takes aim at New York’s closed primaries—and puts a fundamental question before the courts: Is voting a right of citizenship or party membership?
- Author: Righteous Media
- Tags: Independent Americans, Veterans, Open Primaries, Independent Voters, Podcast, #Top-Story-2

Paul Rieckhoff is on the courthouse steps in Foley Square, filing a landmark lawsuit against the state of New York on behalf of 3.1 million unaffiliated voters locked out of the primaries that actually decide elections. Joined by Independent Voter Project counsel Chad Peace, lead New York litigator Sam Gregory, and 32-year Army veteran Kristen Rouse, this is the launch of Let Vets Vote — a national effort by Independent Veterans of America to open closed primaries across America, starting in the state with the most restrictive rules in the country. The core question in front of the court: does the right to vote come from citizenship, or from joining a political party? Independent is an Attitude. Stay vigilant.

**Get the latest episodes of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff on the podcast's** [**YouTube channel**](https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericans?ref=ivn.us)**.**