<div><div></div>Blanca Castro, AARP's lead advocate in Sacramento joins us to discuss nursing home safety during COVID and what the legislature can do to protect seniors throughout the state. </div>

Bryan Miller

Blanca Castro with AARP on Nursing Home Safety During COVID

OAKLAND, CALIF. - In a dramatic shift following the <a href="https://ivn.us/posts/oakland-votes-pivotal-mayoral-election-ranked-choice-voting-center-2025-04-15"><span

In a dramatic shift following the April 15 special mayoral election in Oakland, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee has been declared the winner, pulling into a commanding lead over former Councilmember Loren Taylor, as vote counting continues.

In Oakland, Barbara Lee's RCV Strategy Seen as Critical to Mayoral Victory

US Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrapped up their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtf23QQiDlY&amp;ab_channel=FacetheNation">Fighting Olig

US Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrapped up their Fighting Oligarchy Tour on April 16, after a five-day, seven-stop sweep through the West that drew nearly 150,000 people—capping it off with an unexpected appearance by Sanders at the Coachella music festival.

Sanders and AOC Wrap 'Fighting Oligarchy' Tour and Bernie Takes the Mic at Coachella

US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) continues to make waves in US politics. She is co-headlining rallies across the country with US Sen. Bernie Sanders as part of the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour," which has drawn large crowds even in GOP strongholds.

Now, FiveThirtyEight founder and vet

US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) continues to make waves in US politics. She is co-headlining rallies across the country with US Sen. Bernie Sanders as part of the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour," which has drawn large crowds even in GOP strongholds.

Is Bernie Passing the Torch to AOC for the 2028 Presidential Election?

Editor's Note: This analysis <a href="https://fairvote.org/oakland-mayoral-election-2025-analysis-of-preliminary-results/">originally published</a> on FairVote's website and has been republished on IVN with permission from the organization.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Oa

On Tuesday, Oakland, CA used ranked choice voting (RCV) in special elections for mayor and City Council District 2 – marking Oakland’s 5th mayoral election using RCV. A 2024 poll found that 77% of Oakland voters are satisfied with the election method. 

Analysis: Popular Oakland Ranked Choice Voting System Used to Decide City's Next Mayor

CORRALES, N.M. - A new party launched Tuesday in New Mexico following the passage of open primaries legislation in the state. The Forward Party, which advocates for election reforms like open primaries, is seeking 3,500 signatures to gain minor party status.

REA

A new party launched Tuesday in New Mexico following the passage of open primaries legislation in the state. The Forward Party, which advocates for reforms like open primaries, is seeking 3,500 signatures to gain minor party status.

Forward Party Launches New Mexico Chapter after Open Primaries Success

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. -&nbsp;As California’s legal cannabis industry heads into the second half of 2025, store owners are facing a combination of rising costs that could further disadvantage them against the state’s still-thriving illicit market.<

As California’s legal cannabis industry heads into the second half of 2025, store owners are facing a combination of rising costs that could further disadvantage them against the state’s still-thriving illicit market.

On Top of New Tariffs and Proposed Vape Ban, Calif. Cannabis Retailers Also Face an Excise Tax Hike

The latest polling data from Gallup shows that the number one problem facing the US for most voters now is not the economy, it is not cost of living or inflation -- it is poor leadership in the government.

<a href="https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/658967/gov-itself-top-pr

The latest polling data from Gallup shows that the number one problem facing the US for most voters now is not the economy, it is not cost of living or inflation -- it is poor leadership in the government.

Gallup: Americans More Likely to Rank Government Leadership as No. 1 Problem

OAKLAND, CALIF. - In a critical special election, Oakland voters are casting their ballots on April 15 <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oakland-mayor-thao-indictment-bribery-scheme-6746ab11ac238f615b

In a critical special election, Oakland voters are casting their ballots on April 15 to replace recalled Mayor Sheng Thao. The election will be decided using ranked choice voting (RCV) and determine who leads the city through 2027, as Oakland faces mounting challenges.

Oakland Votes in Pivotal Mayoral Election with Ranked Choice Voting at the Center

Editor's Note: This piece <a href="https://www.independentcenter.org/articles/parental-proxy-voting-effort-in-congress-gives-independent-voters-hope">originally published</a> on The Independent Center's website and has been republished on IVN with permission from the organization.

It’s a bipartisan effort. Independent voters are tired of division and Congress’s inability to achieve results. We rarely see a bipartisan effort in Congress today because, in many respects, we are not allowed to witness it.

Parental Proxy Voting Effort in Congress Gives Independent Voters Hope

A new report from the Unite America Institute reveals a sobering truth about American democracy: in most elections, the vast majority of votes cast have zero influence on the outcome.

According to <a href="https://www.uniteamerica.org/meaningful-vote-percentage">the research</a>, only 1

A new report from the Unite America Institute reveals a sobering truth about American democracy: in most elections, the vast majority of votes cast have zero influence on the outcome.

Most American Votes Don't Matter — New Research Highlights Crisis in Electoral Representation

Last week, Americans witnessed President Trump's "art of the deal" in action as his administration imposed sweeping tariffs on global trading partners, only to roll them back after markets cratered and bond yields spiked.

Trump's Trade War: When Bad Economics Makes Good Politics

OAKLAND, CALIF. - With&nbsp;<a href="https://oaklandside.org/2025/01/09/oakland-mayor-special-election-info/">Oakland’s high-stakes special mayoral electi

With Oakland’s high-stakes special mayoral election coming up on April 15, former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee has released a video outlining a ranked choice voting (RCV) strategy — officially urging her supporters to rank multiple names on their ballots.

Barbara Lee Embraces Ranked Choice Strategy as Oakland’s Mayoral Race Enters Final Stretch

California’s legal cannabis industry, long weighed down by high taxes and regulation, is facing new threats: steep federal tariffs on key imports and a proposed statewide ban on disposable vapes.

<

California’s legal cannabis industry, long weighed down by high taxes and regulation, is facing new threats: steep federal tariffs on key imports and a proposed statewide ban on disposable vapes.

Tariffs and Vape Ban Could Push California’s Cannabis Market Further Underground

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - Salt Lake City will continue using ranked choice voting (RCV) in its municipal elections, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. </span

Salt Lake City will continue using ranked choice voting (RCV) in its municipal elections, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. The City Council reaffirmed their commitment to the system, following positive feedback from the 2023 elections. ​

Salt Lake City Keeps Ranked Choice Voting Alive for 2025

Election reformers are celebrating the adoption of primary elections in New Mexico that are open to the state's substantial independent voter population. But there is an even larger group of independents that could soon be granted access to these critical taxpayer-funded elections in Pennsylvania

Election reformers are celebrating the adoption of primary elections in New Mexico that are open to the state's substantial independent voter population. But there is an even larger group of independents that could soon be granted access to these critical taxpayer-funded elections in Pennsylvania.

Blanca Castro with AARP on Nursing Home Safety During COVID

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