Election Reform - Independent Voter News

Is Texas the Beginning of the End for Closed Primary Lawsuits?

A federal judge sent the Texas GOP's bid to close its primaries back to the Legislature, and South Carolina could be next.

By

Jeremy Gruber

/ September 25, 2026

Is Texas the Beginning of the End for Closed Primary Lawsuits?

9% of Voters Already Picked Your Congress. A New Poll Says Everyone Else Is Fed Up

A new poll shows 56% of voters want to replace closed party primaries with open elections where all candidates compete on one ballot. The survey reveals voters are frustrated that just 9% of Americans effectively decide most congressional races.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ September 24, 2026

9% of Voters Already Picked Your Congress. A New Poll Says Everyone Else Is Fed Up

One Election. Two Congressional Maps. Missouri Voters Caught in the Middle

Missouri voters face confusion as dueling court rulings create uncertainty over which congressional map will be used for the November general election, while absentee ballots are already being sent out.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ September 22, 2026

One Election. Two Congressional Maps. Missouri Voters Caught in the Middle

MAGA, the DSA, and the Politics of No Competition

From MAGA’s takeover of the GOP to the rise of democratic socialists, the author argues that America’s political upheaval is a symptom of an election system that rewards party capture, discourages independent competition, and leaves voters with too few choices.

By

Katherine Gehl

/ September 21, 2026

MAGA, the DSA, and the Politics of No Competition

People vs Politics: The Documentary About Independents Who Won’t Quit on Fairer Elections

From the election reform battles of 2024 to the campaigns of 2026, a new documentary follows the independent voters who keep fighting to change American politics—even when the odds are stacked against them.

By

Robert Pease

/ September 21, 2026

People vs Politics: The Documentary About Independents Who Won’t Quit on Fairer Elections

Independent Voters Can Be Heard in California. The Top-Two Primary Is Worth Defending

California voters broke the political parties’ grip on primary elections in 2010. A new repeal effort raises a fundamental question: Who should get to choose the candidates on the November ballot?

By Lenny Mendonca and

Dan Schnur

/ September 21, 2026

Independent Voters Can Be Heard in California. The Top-Two Primary Is Worth Defending

Alaska’s Repeal Campaign Is Selling Open Primaries While Trying to End Them

Alaska's repeal campaign inadvertently reveals voter demand for open primaries by attacking them. With independents making up two-thirds of Alaska voters, the message is clear: voters want to participate without choosing a party first.

By

Jeremy Gruber

/ September 21, 2026

Alaska’s Repeal Campaign Is Selling Open Primaries While Trying to End Them

Texas GOP’s Closed-Primary Push Hits Pause. The Next Fight Is in Austin

A federal judge paused a Texas GOP lawsuit seeking closed primaries, saying the legislature should decide the issue in 2027. The case has exposed a divide within the party, with Abbott and Cornyn taking opposing positions on whether to exclude independent voters from taxpayer-funded primaries.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ September 20, 2026

Texas GOP’s Closed-Primary Push Hits Pause. The Next Fight Is in Austin

The Most Dishonest Campaign Ad in 2026?

A campaign ad in Alaska claims Ballot Measure 2 would bring back open primaries and reject dark money, but the state already has nonpartisan open primaries that the measure would actually repeal and restrict campaign finance transparency.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ September 18, 2026

America Has an Uncontested Election Problem. Here’s What Can Be Done

From open primaries and multi-member districts to campaign finance reform and a culture that encourages more people to run, there are ways to bring competition back to elections where voters too often have only one choice.

By Rafael Gonzalez, The Fulcrum

/ September 16, 2026

America Has an Uncontested Election Problem. Here’s What Can Be Done

Alaska’s Ranked Choice Repeal Has a Dark-Money Clause Voters Can’t Ignore

Alaska's effort to repeal ranked choice voting would also roll back campaign finance transparency rules, removing disclosure requirements for dark money and out-of-state donations that voters approved in 2020.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ September 15, 2026

Alaska’s Ranked Choice Repeal Has a Dark-Money Clause Voters Can’t Ignore

Election Day Is November 3. For 390 House Seats, It's Already Over

Nearly 90% of House seats are already decided before Election Day, with most contested only in partisan primaries that exclude independent voters and limit meaningful participation to just 9.4% of the voting-age population.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ September 14, 2026

Election Day Is November 3. For 390 House Seats, It's Already Over