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Over the past 30 years, California voters have repeatedly turned to the ballot box to shape criminal justice policy, responding to concerns about public safety, justice, punishment, and rehabilitation. 

Have you ever wondered why, in the greatest democracy in the world, almost no one runs for President of the United States as an independent? The answer is that running as an independent is extremely difficult, if not impossible. That is why very few people have attempted it, and none have won in modern history. 

In less than a month, President Donald Trump has signed two major executive orders to overhaul the nation’s prescription drug pricing system. These orders have placed Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) at the center of the president’s ire and revived a controversial “Most Favored Nation” pricing policy that ties US drug prices to those abroad.

There is an old saying: All politics is local. However, many voters may get the impression this is becoming less and less a reality -- particularly in US House and Senate elections where candidates are elected to represent specific districts or states, but campaign to a national audience.

Austen Campbell was the Deputy Finance Director for independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn, whose grassroots campaign in Nebraska turned a presumed Republican stronghold into a competitive race - scaring the GOP establishment in the process.

There is a bill in the US House that, if passed, would ensure millions of independent voters have a more meaningful say in who represents them by requiring open primaries for federal elections. Outside of VN, however, few outlets have talked about it.

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 30, DEA administrator nominee Terrance Cole declined to commit to the proposed federal rescheduling of cannabis, leaving a critical policy question unresolved as the process transitions to new leadership under the Trump administration.

In 47 US states, the secretary of state is a recognized statewide office, and in most of those states, voters get to decide who holds it. But in three 3 states — Maine, Tennessee, and New Hampshire — the legislature holds that power exclusively.

US Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska), who was elected under Alaska’s ranked choice voting (RCV) system, and US Rep. Abraham Hamadeh (R-Arizona) are co-leading an effort to prohibit the use of RCV in federal elections. 

Remember when President Donald Trump promised no tax on tips, overtime pay, and social security? Not much has been said about it in recent months. So, is it still happening? The short answer is maybe, but voters may not get the complete story on what impact this will have on the federal deficit and debt.