Shawn is an election reform expert and National Editor of IVN.us. He studied history and philosophy at the University of North Texas. He joined the IVN team in 2012.
Election Reform
As the US kicks off the 2024 presidential election cycle, more than 23.5 million registered independent voters find themselves sidelined by closed presidential primaries in 22 states, a recent report from the Unite America Institute reveals.
News
Photo Credit: Matt Johnson / Flickr The Libertarian Party of California (:PCA) has set the stage for a presidential forum and debate unlike anything voters are accustomed to seeing at its annual convention. Not only has the party opened its doors to independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr, but it also
Election Reform
Over 70,000 voters cast a ballot in the Republican primary -- and none of those votes are considered "legitimate" by the GOP.
Opinion
1. You See the Legitimacy of Opposing Views Voters have become accustomed to the simple red-versus-blue, liberal-versus-conservative goal posts that have been set up by the drivers of American politics. Hyper-polarization has reached such extremes that no matter the position, the "other side" is always wrong, evil, and
Election Reform
Photo Credit: Colin Lloyd on Unsplash A federal judge blocked an effort by the Colorado Republican Party Friday to deny independent voters access to the party's primary elections. The court ruled that the GOP failed to provide evidence of a substantial burden to its interests or its constitutional
News
California’s ‘top-two’ nonpartisan primary creates election dynamics that are much different than you see in most states because, instead of candidates vying for the hearts and minds of their party-base -- all voters, including independent voters, can cast their vote for any candidate they choose. That means, this March,
Election Reform
Independent voters are sending a message to the Republican and Democratic Parties: We are done playing your games.
News
If the 2024 presidential election follows recent trends, it will be the most expensive campaign finance cycle in modern US history with figures that will likely ascend into the billions of dollars. And this has many voters concerned about the state of money in politics.
News
US elections are the foundation of a paradoxical system. Voters are told every vote counts, but then see a presidential nomination process that is considered a done deal after not even 1% of voters have cast a ballot.
Election Reform
The West Virginia Republican Executive committee voted Saturday to switch to closed primary elections starting in 2026.
News
Photo by Phillip Goldsberry on Unsplash In the wake of the New Hampshire primaries, much of the discussion in the national press is about the race being a done deal. It doesn't matter who is still in, it's Trump versus Biden again -- something most Americans
Election Reform
Louisiana, voters witnessed their legislature not only ignore their opinions on something as important as voter rights -- but lawmakers also spit in their faces.