Tag: Open Primaries

Democracy Reformers Admit Their Biggest Problem: They Keep Talking to Themselves
Democracy Reformers Admit Their Biggest Problem: They Keep Talking to Themselves
At the March 25 Democracy Network Exchange meeting, reform advocates confronting 2024 losses on ranked choice voting and other ballot measures pointed to a hard truth: insider language, weak grassroots investment, and abstract messaging are still undermining structural reform campaigns. ...
31 Mar, 2026
-
5 min read
Can a Party Call Itself ‘Independent’? Judge Accuses No Labels Party of ‘Bait-and-Switch’
Can a Party Call Itself ‘Independent’? Judge Accuses No Labels Party of ‘Bait-and-Switch’
The No Labels Party in Arizona cannot change its name to the Arizona Independent Party. This is the decision from Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Gregory Como, who called it a “political bait-and-switch.” ...
30 Mar, 2026
-
12 min read
Independent Voters Are Dominating the 2026 Primary Conversation
Independent Voters Are Dominating the 2026 Primary Conversation
The media does not often cover the impact independent voters have in elections until after the primaries. However, in 2026, this growing segment of voters – who make up nearly half of the electorate – is harder to ignore in these critical early contests....
25 Mar, 2026
-
2 min read
My Next Congressman Won His Primary with 24% of the Vote
My Next Congressman Won His Primary with 24% of the Vote
Illinois conducted its 2026 primary elections Tuesday, and in some cases the winner advanced to November with around or less than 30% of the vote. In my congressional district, IL-7, State Representative La Shawn Ford won his primary with roughly 24% of the vote....
18 Mar, 2026
-
4 min read
Ignored, Excluded, Rising: The Training Turning Independent Voters into a Political Force
Ignored, Excluded, Rising: The Training Turning Independent Voters into a Political Force
Open Primaries’ Spokesperson Training has prepared hundreds of independents to share their stories. The next training is May 18. Here’s why it matters—and why you should apply. ...
17 Mar, 2026
-
4 min read
John Fetterman Blasts Hypocrisy on Both Sides of the SAVE Act Fight
John Fetterman Blasts Hypocrisy on Both Sides of the SAVE Act Fight
Fetterman has pointed out that voter ID is an "80-20 issue," citing an August 2025 Pew Research survey that found 83% of American voters support or are okay with requiring photo ID to vote....
16 Mar, 2026
-
14 min read
The Federal Voter ID Bill Is Designed to Fail. Here's Why
The Federal Voter ID Bill Is Designed to Fail. Here's Why
Most Americans support voter ID, so why is this fight so explosive? It’s simple: the two-party system keeps turning a broadly popular reform into a partisan weapon. Instead of solving the issue, both sides use it to energize their base and deepen distrust....
12 Mar, 2026
-
3 min read
Paul Rieckhoff Tells Stephen Colbert: Voters Shouldn't Have to Pick a Party to Matter
Paul Rieckhoff Tells Stephen Colbert: Voters Shouldn't Have to Pick a Party to Matter
Paul Rieckhoff wears many hats. He is a veteran of the Iraq War, founded Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, national security analyst, author, producer, podcaster, and founder of Independent Veterans of America....
11 Mar, 2026
-
2 min read
Did New Petition Rules Kill Oklahoma’s Open Primaries Initiative?
Did New Petition Rules Kill Oklahoma’s Open Primaries Initiative?
Last week, the Oklahoma campaign to put a nonpartisan all-voter and all-candidate nonpartisan primary initiative on the ballot was informed that it did not collect enough signatures to be certified. This means state voters won’t get a say on the matter in 2026....
10 Mar, 2026
-
5 min read
How James Talarico Won Over Independents Amid Texas Primary Chaos
How James Talarico Won Over Independents Amid Texas Primary Chaos
James Talarico wins Texas’ Democratic Senate primary as campaigns point to unusually high independent participation in the state’s open primary system. Then Dallas County’s last-minute switch back to precinct-only voting sparks confusion, long lines, and a legal fight over ballots cast after 7 p.m....
05 Mar, 2026
-
3 min read
Don’t Kill Top Two. Upgrade It: A Smarter Way to Elect California’s Governor
Don’t Kill Top Two. Upgrade It: A Smarter Way to Elect California’s Governor
The answer to today’s crowded field is not retreat. It is modernization. Instead of empowering party gatekeepers, we can empower voters with more choice, less vote splitting, and majority-supported outcomes....
03 Mar, 2026
-
4 min read
No Referee in the Midterms? Trump’s FEC Nominations Come After 10 Months of Zero Federal Oversight
No Referee in the Midterms? Trump’s FEC Nominations Come After 10 Months of Zero Federal Oversight
As February wrapped up, it was reported that President Donald Trump had nominated two Republicans for the Federal Elections Commission after 10 months of the agency being unable to perform its basic functions....
02 Mar, 2026
-
9 min read