New Endorsements for the Effort to Open Oklahoma’s Primaries

ICYMI: 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 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. 

We’re already seeing important voices emerge in support of the effort–including former Oklahoma Congressman Mickey Edwards who was interviewed for a new piece in The Oklahoman where he lays out the MANY reasons he’s been a longtime open primary supporter. 

Tulsa World’s Editorial Board also endorsed the effort in a new piece laying out why this is not only about treating voters fairly and making Oklahoma’s elections more competitive but also embracing core Oklahoma values: 

“Oklahomans embrace their freedoms, and that’s what this is about — the freedom to seek office and the freedom to vote, regardless of fealty to political party bosses.”

DC Board of Elections Certifies Overwhelming Approval of Initiative 83

On December 2, the DC Board of Elections certified DC voters’ overwhelming approval of Initiative 83, with nearly 73% of votes cast in support. Voters in the District of Columbia said YES to open primaries and RCV - winning a supermajority of votes in every ward and a majority in every precinct.

Statement from Lisa D. T. Rice, Proposer of Initiative 83:

“We look forward to working with the DC Council to implement both reforms beginning in 2026. Our District’s political process can only be improved by letting independents vote and ensuring a majority winner - Initiative 83 is a win-win for all voters and for all of our District’s elected officials.”

Republican Party of Alaska Requests an Official Recount of Failed Ballot Measure to Repeal Open Primaries/RCV

The Alaska Division of Elections is moving forward with a recount of a ballot measure to repeal ranked choice voting and open primaries. According to election results certified Saturday, out of almost 341,000 votes cast by Alaskans at the Nov. 5 election, the repeal measure lost by 737 votes.

Results coming out also show that Alaska’s predominantly Native regions delivered huge margins against repealing the state’s new elections system by 64% to 36%--providing enough votes to protect the freedom of all Alaskans to vote in primary elections. 

The state allows 10 days to complete the recount. Stay tuned.

NY Daily News: The DC Democracy Lesson for New York

Howard Husock, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, penned an excellent editorial about what the open primaries victory in Washington DC should/could mean for New York City:

The 19th: The Women of the West are Making Political History — and Have Been for 130 Years

Vote Nevada Executive Director Sondra Cosgrove is featured in a new piece on the long history of women in the American West breaking barriers and making political history. She makes the case for why she believes primary reform empowers women:

Open Primaries Next Primary Buzz Discussion

Many in the reform movement have been reflecting on the fact that only 2 of the 8 reform initiatives on the 2024 ballot across the country were successful. Open Primaries President John Opdycke spoke with the Associated Press in a piece for  ABC News and other outlets on the hard work that needs to happen in our movement:

That’s why our next Primary Buzz discussion will tackle these themes head on.

2024 Roundup: Lessons Learned from the Campaign Trail

In 2024, our movement saw 8 open primary initiatives on the 2024 ballot across the country. Millions of voters voted for open primaries, and 2 campaigns garnered enough votes to win (Washington DC & Alaska). 

In poll after poll, open primaries consistently get 70%+ of the public’s support but translating that support into votes is not automatic. It takes work - a lot of work. Both parties oppose us and they’ve become experts at sowing doubt among voters. Our final Primary Buzz Discussion of the year will be a deep dive into where we are right now as a movement: what’s working? What’s not? How can we effectively  grow in 2025 to set us up for success in 2026.

On Tuesday December 17th at 3pm EDT, Open Primaries President John Opdycke will interview Lisa Rice, Juli Lucky, Sarah Smallhouse & Chuck Coughlin. Get ready for an unfiltered conversation on how the open primaries movement fared in 2024. 

We hope you join us for our last discussion of 2024! 

What Comes Next: 2025 & the Future of Independent Voters

In 2024, we launched Let Us Vote, a home for independent voters dedicated to building a community to support each other, learn from each other, work together and fight for the recognition we deserve.

The fight for independent voters is only just beginning. Our numbers are exploding - over 50% of voters consider themselves independent - but we’re still second-class citizens in American politics. To change it, we need to build a plan to empower and encourage millions of independent voters in 2025, 2026 and beyond.

On Thursday, December 19th at 4pm PT/7pm ET, Let Us Vote will be hosting an online discussion about 2025 and what the future holds for independents:

We’ll outline the progress we’ve made so far and what we’re thinking for 2025. Special Guests Open Primaries Senior Vice President Jeremy Gruber and Melanie Combs-Dyer, who launched LetUsVote Maryland, will join to talk through their experiences of 2024.

Most importantly, we’ll ask those important questions of you: what ideas do you have (and how can we support them), to make us successful in 2025 and beyond?

We hope to see you there!

ICYMI: We’ve launched our end of year fundraising campaign. 

2024 was a massive year for our movement and because of supporters like you our growing movement: 

• Placed eight open primary referendums on the ballot. 
• Scored two important victories in Alaska and Washington DC.
• Generated more positive press in one year than the last ten years combined. 
• Attracted hundreds of new leaders and spokespeople from New Hampshire to New Mexico. 

But the partisan pushback was intense–there are no shortcuts in the fight to let all voters votet. We’re more committed than ever to building a strong and diverse movement that enfranchises every voter. That’s our mission and we need your help and involvement. 

HELP US BUILD: MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY

We have so many opportunities over the next 2 years to: 

• Develop strong spokespeople, leadership and campaigns. 
• Foster ballot measures/initiatives. 
• Pursue lawsuits and litigation challenging the taxpayer funding of public elections that exclude millions of voters. 
• Champion the 2026 Oklahoma ballot campaign. 
• Build an army of independent voters and mobilize them to protest their exclusion on primary day 2026. 
• Support legislative efforts in multiple states. 
• Defend open primaries from legislators who prefer a closed system. 

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! 

If you haven’t already, help us build the open primaries movement. Make a tax-deductible contribution to our 2025 organizing fund today.

Have a great weekend,

The Open Primaries Team