Jeremy Gruber
Editor's Note: The following is an exclusive series on IVN from the better elections group Open Primaries. The content originated from the group's weekly newsletter, "Primary Buzz."
Matthew McConaughey Just Said What American Politics Needs to Hear
Actor Matthew McConaughey is taking on some of the biggest myths in American politics: that independent voters are fence-sitters and independent candidates are spoilers. They’re neither.
Shawn Griffiths
Independents make up 45% of the country. They want real change, a voice in shaping America’s future, and the freedom to think for themselves. And independent candidates are working to give Americans the choices they desperately want—beyond the same two-party politics that has left so many feeling shut out.
Yet millions of independents are denied a say in the primary elections that increasingly determine who governs us. They’re told they must join a political party to participate in elections funded by their own tax dollars.
That’s the reality. And fairness demands change.
McConaughey’s message cuts through the partisan noise: Americans deserve a democracy that reflects who we are, respects our choices, and gives every voter a voice.
Matthew, welcome to the movement. Watch his video and share it widely.
What We're Talking About
Taking on the Myth of Private Primaries
I joined SiriusXM host Michael Smerconish for an hour-long, wide-ranging conversation about independent voters and the future of American elections.
Jeremy delivered a pointed message: Americans have been conned for 65 years into believing that primaries are private party elections—and that political parties should decide who gets to participate. In reality, primaries are public elections, funded by taxpayers and run by the government. Why should political parties control access to elections that belong to the public?
Independent Voter Podcast
Smerconish welcomed callers who challenged Jeremy’s arguments, creating the kind of open debate democracy needs. One caller even said he changed his mind while listening to the conversation before getting on the air.
This is what the fight for open primaries is about: challenging the assumptions that keep millions of independent voters shut out and putting voters—not party insiders—in charge of their own political destiny.
Watch the full conversation:
Quote of the Week
Campaign Updates
Massachusetts Question 3: Why Are Party Leaders Fighting So Hard to Stop It?
Why are Massachusetts Democratic leaders, labor unions, and progressive organizations fighting so hard to defeat Question 3? A new opinion piece in Mass Daily News argues that the answer is simple: the current system gives party insiders power, and Question 3 would give that power back to voters.
Question 3 would establish a top-two primary, allowing every voter to participate in a single primary, with the two highest vote-getters advancing to the general election. In a state where roughly two-thirds of voters are unenrolled, the current system shuts out the vast majority from the elections that often determine who wins office.
As publisher Simon Pacheco argues, the fight over Question 3 is about more than election rules. It’s about whether political parties get to control who participates—or whether voters get to decide for themselves.
Read the full article and learn why the fight for top-two in Massachusetts matters.
In Case You Missed It
Will Either Party Finally Listen to Independent Voters?
Ahead of the midterms, Open Primaries President John Opdycke joined NewsNation to confront the questions both parties keep trying to avoid, like why do politicians court independent votes at election time, only to ignore independent voters once in office?
Opdycke discusses a growing push to give independents a real seat at the table, with leaders exploring new ways to ensure their voices are heard. Independent voters are demanding more than campaign promises. They want a meaningful role in our democracy.
Watch John’s NewsNation appearance and hear why the fight for independent voters is becoming impossible to ignore.
What We're Reading
For a decade, David Thornburgh has helped lead the fight to open Pennsylvania’s primaries to 1.5 million independent voters. In his latest op-ed, the chair of Ballot PA Action reflects on the historic bipartisan House vote on HB 280 and the broad coalition pushing for reform.
Read Thornburgh’s op-ed and learn why the fight now moves to the Pennsylvania Senate.
Pennsylvania Independents Make Their Voices Heard on Open Primaries
Speaking of PA, Open Primaries and our partners at Ballot PA Action are mobilizing independent Pennsylvanians to thank House members who voted for HB 280 and urge state senators to support the bill. Across the state, independents are making calls and reaching lawmakers at grocery stores, churches, and town halls. After a decade of fighting for open primaries, the message is clear: lawmakers need to hear directly from the voters who have been shut out for far too long.
Charles Floray, a retired systems analyst from Walker Township, recently contacted his state senator, David Argall. Charles and his wife are both independents who grew tired of trying to support either party. They want elected officials to “pull back to compromise.”
In his message to Senator Argall, Charles wrote: “The issue is not everyone’s voice is being heard. I believe registered independents should be allowed to vote in primaries. Political parties are free to have their own set of beliefs, but the government has a responsibility to serve the entire population, not just those who share a particular party’s views.”
Senator Argall’s response was encouraging. “I have supported efforts to make Pennsylvania’s elections more open, transparent, and accessible,” he wrote, confirming that he would support HB 280 when it comes before the Senate.
We want every state legislator to hear from the independent voters in their districts. If you live in Pennsylvania or know someone who does and want to help, contact Cathy Stewart at cstewart@openprimaries.org.
Did You Know?
70% of Oregonians Want Open Primaries
The message from Oregon voters is clear: closed primaries are out of step with the public. A new Oregonian/OregonLive poll finds that 70% of registered voters believe all voters, regardless of party affiliation, should be allowed to vote in primaries. Support is strongest among unaffiliated voters, 77% of whom favor opening the process.
The numbers come as Oregon’s unaffiliated electorate has surged to more than 1.15 million, making it the state’s largest voter-registration group. The debate over open primaries isn’t going away—and neither is the demand for a fairer system that lets all voters have a voice. Read the full story in The Oregonian.
Independents Speak Out
“THEY DON’T OWN THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY”
In a fiery new USA TODAY opinion piece, Nebraska independent Christopher Moore calls out the two-party stranglehold on American democracy: two political organizations have effectively seized control of the entrance to political power while millions of independent voters are shut out of the primaries that decide our elections.
“I don’t vote for a jersey anymore. I diagnose the problem, look at the evidence and make up my own mind,” Moore writes.
His message is a challenge to the political establishment: Our elections belong to the voters, not the parties. Open the doors, let independents vote, and give Americans the freedom to choose their own political future.