In 2024, measures for statewide election reform failed in all eight states where they were on the ballot. Despite growing support for competitive elections, these initiatives unraveled as the result of pushback from the political establishment. The major parties only agree to oppose any measure impeding their incumbents' re-election. 

The Parties Strike Back: Deceptive Tactics Lead to Rough Night for More Choice Elections

Most state constitutions require officeholders to pledge to ensure fair elections. Yet the practice of gerrymandering - institutionalized unfairness - is now the norm. And instead of occurring every ten years, legislatures now regularly game the system as it suits their own strategies. The public hates gerrymandering but is forced to accept it because, frankly, what choice do we have? 

In a two-party system, the goal is to stack all three branches in one party's favor and then ram through their agenda. When it goes too far, and it always does, the pendulum swings back to the other side. Each time, the response is greater. Without a correction, our political system, like a pendulum pushed too far, spins out of control. 

But from chaos comes opportunity. The solution is a free and equal nominating system courtesy of a new kind of political party. This one foregoes ideology in favor of technology, producing an alternative primary system without any new laws. In fact, this “People’s Primary” is already taking shape. 

College students are piloting a new method for nominating a member of Congress. It consists of a multi-round competition where constituents’ endorsements are the only currency that counts. Potential candidates contend on a level playing field where the media, political insiders, and outside donors have no say. When the “party” gains national status, the winner of the nomination is automatically on the general election ballot. 

The system is designed to be “free” for all to participate, as initially guaranteed by the 1689 English Bill of Rights, and to be “equal,” as first written in the 1790 Pennsylvania Constitution - the model for our union. Even without these assurances, common sense dictates that fairness is required for governance to work properly. 

The nonprofit Digital Democracy Project has deployed a mobile voting system in Florida that scales nationally. The platform builds on government approved technology produced to let service members securely cast their ballots from anywhere in the world. Integrating the “party” nominating contest into DDP’s system - a relatively straightforward programming step - is all that remains to be done to prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.

A free and equal system is within reach, restoring the voice of voters silenced by redistricting. Gerrymandered districts will be targeted first, since they offer the greatest opportunity for candidates to emerge from the center-left and center-right. 

The goal is to elect enough “pink” and “baby blue” representatives to push the election of the Speaker of the House into the main chamber. By ending rule by majority party, this solution offers the potential to moderate Congress, incentivize compromise, and quell our civil unrest. 

This approach offers a practical, legal, and fair means of mitigating the effects of gerrymandering. Changing the relationship between politicians and money requires a complete rethinking of how we choose our representatives. Only a system of accountability can reclaim a government of the people. 

About The Author

Tom Joseph is the founder and treasurer of America’s Main Street Party (mainstreetparty.org), and the producer of Wilson’s Fountain (wilsonsfountain.us), a repurposing of the United States political committee system. Tom is also the founder of Bookminders (bookminders.com), a pioneer in remote-first employment.