John --

A letter from the president

This was a huge year for the Open Primaries movement. Thanks to all of you, 7 states and our nation’s capital debated primary reform at the ballot. Despite massive negative campaigns from both the Democratic and Republican parties, millions of voters cast ballots in favor of letting all voters vote in the first round of elections. Tens of millions more learned why we need to reform our primary elections for the first time. Two big wins at the ballot in Washington DC and Alaska has helped temper tough losses in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota.   

As a movement, we grew and we learned…

Click here for the full letter

Alaskans Vote to Protect the Freedoms of All Voters and Keep Open Primaries

After an incredibly close election, all the votes have finally been tallied and we can report (pending final certification and the possibility of a recount) that Alaska’s nonpartisan open primary system initially passed in 2020 will remain intact moving forward! 

This is a major win for Alaskans – including the nearly 58% of Alaskans who don’t identify with either major party. 

Juli Lucky — Executive Director of the No on 2 campaign to protect the freedoms of all Alaskans to participate in primary elections — issued a statement along with the group’s campaign chair, Republican State Sen. Lesil McGuire: 

“Alaska’s open primaries and ranked choice voting system honors Alaskans’ independence and rewards elected leaders who work together to address the challenges that face our state.” 

Congratulations to all our friends and partners in Alaska that made this victory possible and the voters of Alaska who remain in the drivers seat moving forward. 

Campaign to Open Oklahoma’s Elections in 2026 Officially Launches

Oklahoma has entered the ring as the newest open primary campaign in town–Vote Yes on 835–a group of diverse Oklahomans of all backgrounds and from all across the state–filed its paperwork Monday to pursue a 2026 constitutional amendment to open Oklahoma’s primaries to all voters with the top two vote getters advancing to the general election. The campaign builds on ten years of conversations and organizing in the Sooner state, and is led by the indefatigable Margaret Kobos, founder of Oklahoma United.

OP Senior VP Jeremy Gruber joined Margaret at the Capitol in Oklahoma City as she submitted the petition to the Secretary of State’s Office for approval.

Former Republican State Senator AJ Griffin, 835 Petitioner & Veterans for All Voters state leader Tony Stobbe, Former Connor State College President Dr. Donnie Nero and Oklahoma Academy President and CEO Julie Knutson joined Margaret at a kickoff rally the next day as they announced the campaign in front of a packed room at the Oklahoma History Center.

Former State Senator A.J. Griffin: 

“We are glad this day is finally here. We are all here today to support improving our democracy by reforming our closed, exclusionary system of primary elections.”

Watch the campaign kick off highlights reel here:

Every news source in the state covered the event - read some of their stories here and here.The partisan pushback has already begun, but as Margaret declared at the rally:

“We’re going to be talking to voters every day until Nov. 5th 2026.”

Supporters must collect 172,993 signatures in order to qualify it for the 2026 ballot.

Open Primaries has been working with leaders in Oklahoma for ten years to support the building of a foundation for a strong campaign and we’re proud to support and champion the Vote Yes 835 campaign as we head into 2025.

Frank Barry: Both Parties Hate Open Primaries, You Should Love Them

Frank Barry’s latest book “Back Roads and and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy,” allowed him to travel across the country and interview Americans from all backgrounds including one independent in McGill, Nevada who shared: “I’d compare the two parties to the Bloods and Crips but I don’t want to give the gangs a bad name.” Watch John Opdycke’s interview with Barry on the Primary Buzz for a deep dive into his experience talking with hundreds of Americans across the country.

His road trip highlighted the extreme disconnect between the American people and party leaders. In a new piece in Bloomberg Barry outlines why party bosses from both sides of the aisle are actively working to keep our primaries closed and why it’s time we embrace reform: 

“Party leaders have mostly opposed the switch to open primaries because it weakens their control. Incumbents tend to oppose it because they prefer smaller and already-loyal blocs of voters. And ideological activists tend to oppose it because it empowers candidates who are less beholden to them.”

Read his full piece here. 

Have a great weekend,

The Open Primaries Team