OKLAHOMA SHOWS HOW MOVEMENTS ARE BUILT

The Oklahoma Academy, a committed advocate for public policy education and civic engagement in Oklahoma, recently hosted a citizen Town Hall conference in Tulsa titled "Politics, Primaries, and Polarization: What about the Oklahoma People?" 

The Town Hall followed a year of listening and discussion groups across the state about the current political climate in Oklahoma and how to address it, with a special focus on how the state conducts primaries and the issue of polarization within communities.   Building on what was learned, the Town Hall brought together a diverse group of citizens from across the state-Republicans, Democrats and independents, current and former elected leaders, business leaders, educators, students and everyday voters to learn, debate and discuss how to move Oklahoma forward. The dialogue was civil (mostly) and the passion for citizen led democracy inspiring.

There were no models or predetermined outcomes, this was a group of committed Oklahomans working to reach consensus on how to improve politics in their state. 

Open Primaries President John Opdycke and SVP Jeremy Gruber helped facilitate conversations over the course of the event, and joined panels with current and former elected state leaders and in-state experts including David Holt (Mayor of OKC), GT Bynum (Mayor of Tulsa), former Congressman Mickey Edwards, former leaders of the State House and Senate and reform leaders like Andy Moore of Lets Fix This. Check out Tulsa World’s coverage of the Town Hall.

The Town Hall’s consensus findings will be used to introduce legislation and support campaigns for reform. The effort follows an earlier Town Hall in 2017 that endorsed top two open primaries for the Sooner State. Open Primaries has been working with local leaders in Oklahoma for ten years on listening, learning, educating and building consensus on political reform. Many thanks to the OK Academy and its fearless leader Julie Knutson on their leadership in that pursuit.

Young Voters Choose Independence Over Partisan Politics

Students are increasingly choosing independence over partisan politics. The Syracuse Post-Standard recently asked high schoolers why, and their answers are fascinating:

These seniors from Westhill High School spoke out on their growing frustration with political parties and their dissatisfaction that neither party truly represents them. 

This is the exact reason Let Us Vote, a project of Open Primaries, was launched earlier this year. We are always looking for supporters to share their story, sign the Let Us Vote petition and help change the narrative about independents.

Voters Concerned About the State of Our Democracy, Calls for Open Primaries Grow

A recent New York Times/Siena College poll has found that nearly half of all voters are skeptical that the American experiment in self-governance is working, with 45% believing that the nation’s democracy does not do a good job representing the people. These “frustrations have left 58 percent of voters believing that the nation’s financial and political systems need major changes or a complete overhaul.”

As more and more Americans lose faith in a system that often rewards special interests and party leaders over our voters, the demand for reform continues to grow louder. This week the Editorial Board at Bloomberg made a major endorsement of open primaries on the ballot all across the country this year. Read the full endorsement here.

ALASKA: Anchorage and Fairbanks are hundreds of miles apart but in an inspiring moment of unity the mayors of both cities have come together to urge Alaskans to vote NO on Ballot Measure 2–read their joint endorsement HERE. The campaign needs volunteers to phonebank and knock on doors in the final stretch–sign up and get involved today! 

ARIZONA: Former Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothchild joins the open primaries train by endorsing Prop 140 and calling on Arizonans to embrace reform for a better Arizona: "Arizona is evolving and so should our electoral system. Proposition 140 is about making sure our elected officials are chosen by the people they will represent — all the people." Arizonans who can volunteer–click here!

COLORADO: Former elected officials Edie Hooton & Stan Garnett recently shared why they’re supporting Prop 131 for open primaries and ranked voting in Colorado: “Open primaries & ranked voting offer a vital opportunity to reshape our electoral landscape. They promise to empower all voters — regardless of party affiliation — ensuring that every candidate has a fair chance to compete” Meanwhile, Tony Haas, a U.S. Army veteran and Veterans for Colorado Voters state leader, and Dr. Toni Larson, former president of the League of Women Voters Colorado co-authored an op-ed in The Denver Post last week about Prop 131.

IDAHO: The largest paper in Idaho, The Idaho Statesman ‘s editorial board has just endorsed Prop 1:

 If you’re able to help–sign up HERE to phone bank from your own home to help boost this campaign in the final week (even if you’re not in Idaho!)

MONTANA: Montanans are speaking up about why they are voting YES on CI-126 and opening Montana’s primaries to EVERY Montana voter:

If you’re in Montana, sign up to phone bank and join some tabling opportunities HERE!

NEVADA: Nevadans from all backgrounds are coming out and supporting "Yes on 3" to reform Nevada’s elections and give voters better choices and more of a voice in their elections:

Sign up to support the campaign here. 

SOUTH DAKOTA: Listen in to South Dakota Open Primaries Chair Joe Kirby discussing all things open primaries and Amendment H on " It's Your Business" with Bill Zortman (their conversation starts at 32min). Then read a letter to the editor submitted this week from veteran Gail Robertson on why they're supporting the open primaries Amendment: "I am proud to be a veteran and have never voted a straight ticket in 58 years. I strongly feel that Amendment H will be instrumental in bringing in more candidates for all statewide offices, and I strongly encourage all my fellow veterans to join me in supporting this amendment."

Finally, District 1 State Senator Michael Rohl recently talked about why he’s supporting Amendment H–listen here and volunteer for the campaign today!

WASHINGTON DC: Read Campaign Leader Lisa D.T. Rice’s latest editorial on Initiative 83 and letting all DC voters vote in The Georgetowner:

Reminder: More than 75,000 people (1 in 6 D.C. voters) are registered independents, including veterans, civil servants, jurists and journalists who do so because of their jobs–passing Initiative 83 would bring all these voters into the process. The campaign is looking for volunteers to make calls to independents and DC residents to call fellow voters, hand out flyers, knock on doors, etc–sign up here!

Have a great weekend,

The Open Primaries Team