We’ve been called liberals, conservatives, progressives, libertarians, closet Republicans, undercover Democrats – even anarchists.

In a political environment obsessed with sorting voters into boxes and states into red and blue, we believe news, policy, and government are more complicated than the labels suggest.

The truth is, people have said all of those things about us, depending on what they read and the perspective they brought to it.

For 15 years, we have published more than 14,000 articles written by people from different walks of life, different parts of the country, and different political backgrounds.

Our contributors have included journalists, candidates, experts, academics, legislators, lobbyists, activists, community leaders, business executives, and everyday citizens who simply want to be heard.

We call ourselves Independent Voter News because we are an open platform built by and for independent-minded voters.

Some people tell us we should be more “neutral” or more “unbiased.”

No one is unbiased.

Every person brings a different experience, perspective, disposition, and set of assumptions to the way they see the world. There is no such thing as a perfectly objective viewpoint. There are only people who are honest about their point of view and people who pretend they do not have one.

Being independent is not about lacking opinions. It is not about suspending judgment or rejecting philosophy.

Being independent is a mindset, not an ideology.

It means recognizing that complexity is real. It means understanding that people can come to different conclusions without being stupid, brainwashed, or evil. It means being open to new facts, better arguments, and the possibility that you may be wrong.

At Independent Voter News, authors and commenters are encouraged to express their views and be open to challenge.

We call ourselves Independent Voter News because we publish news and information from voters with all kinds of perspectives and opinions, including yours.

The only requirement is that people engage in civil dialogue and follow four basic rules:

1. No personal attacks
2. No partisan attacks
3. Substantiate claims
4. No self-promotion

Have something to say? Say it.

Disagree with something published here? Submit a response.

If it follows our etiquette, we will publish it.

Because independence is not the absence of perspective.

It is the willingness to engage with perspectives beyond your own.