Open Primaries President John Opdycke shared a supporter memorandum this week outlining challenges and opportunities for the primary reform movement.  

"My goal with this note is to share some of my early analysis of what was accomplished, lessons learned and how we can continue to position Open Primaries to shape and build deeper and more impactful coalitions and campaigns in 2025 and 2026."

Highlights from the memo include:  

• The need to create space between open primaries and ranked choice voting.  
• Open Primaries is making a big bet on organizing independent voters in 2025 and 2026.  
• The importance of investing more in local leadership development and voter education prior to launching ballot referendums (support for primary reform is broad but shallow, particularly in states that have never had any form of an open system)
• We have huge opportunities to use defense, municipal campaigns, litigation, and legislative campaigns to grow the movement and position ourselves to win.  

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER

NBC NEWS’ CHUCK TODD: “SWITCH TO ALL PARTY PRIMARIES” 

The rise of independent voters and their expanded influence in our elections continues to grab the attention of prominent journalists. NBC News Chief Political Analyst and the former moderator of Meet The Press Chuck Todd wrote last week about the rising tide of political independence and is now calling for open, nonpartisan primaries:

Read his new piece: The next great reform movement is poised to begin now. 

ARIZONA REPUBLIC: INDEPENDENTS GROWING STRENGTH

Over the last week, Jackie Salit and Thom Reilly’s latest piece about the growing clout of independent voters ran on the front page of the Arizona Republic and on the front page of 26 additional papers in 15 states. Among the key findings: Independents are not just rising - they are voting in ways that reject partisan silos and categories.  

Read the full piece here. 

THE BALTIMORE SUN: MARYLAND’S UNAFFILIATED VOTERS ARE LEFT OUT OF PROCESS

Over 900,000 Maryland voters are unaffiliated and shut out of primary elections that their taxes pay for–this number has increased by nearly 120,000 in just four years. 

A new piece in the Baltimore Sun highlights the fact that Maryland is in the minority of states that hold primaries this restrictive–and with the rate of unaffiliated voters rapidly increasing this will mean Maryland’s elections become less and less competitive and inclusive:

“More and more people are choosing not to be a part of a party. If parties are thinking, well, closed primaries will force them to be part of a party, that has not happened at all. The presence of closed primaries has not resulted in more people coming back to the party. The number of unaffiliated people just continues to grow.”

–Todd Eberly, political science professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

2 BILLS FILED IN ALASKA TO REPEAL VOTING RIGHTS  

Two separate groups are pursuing efforts to repeal open primaries and ranked choice voting in 2026. We stand with our friends at Alaskans for Better Elections and No on 2 who continue to fight to uphold the voting rights of ALL Alaskans. Stay tuned as this important fight develops.  

This week we hosted our final Primary Buzz Discussion of 2024. Open Primaries President John Opdycke was joined by Lisa Rice (All Votes Count DC), Juli Lucky (Alaskans for Better Elections), Sarah Smallhouse & Chuck Coughlin (Make Elections Fair AZ). It was a timely, important discussion–as we continue to organize and grow this movement, these kinds of discussions and self evaluation are critical. 

• Full video recap
• Press Coverage

OPEN PRIMARIES EDUCATION FUND SPONSORS NYC FILM SHOWING OF THE LAST REPUBLICAN

Director & screenwriter Steve Pink (Hot Tube Time Machine, High Fidelity, Grosse Pointe Blank) is a progressive. Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger is a conservative (and a huge fan of Hot Tub Time Machine!). The two men share almost no political views. But Adam invited Steve into his life for two years, the result of which is an intimate and revealing (and often times hilarious) documentary that gives viewers an inside look at the Kinzinger’s “country before party” courage after January 6th, the hearings on Capitol Hill, and his subsequent banishment from the Republican Party.   

Watch the trailer

Open Primaries Education Fund is hosting the premiere of the film on Friday January 3rd in New York City at the Film Forum. After the premiere, John Opdycke will moderate an audience discussion with both Steve Pink and Adam Kinzinger.  

Purchase tickets  

Note: Enter Code OPENPRIMARIES at checkout to receive a discount and to let the theatre know you heard it from us) 

2025-2026 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN UPDATE

The Open Primaries Education Fund is 48% of the way to reaching our end of year goal of $160,000 raised to go directly towards our 2025-2026 organizing efforts. And….we have a $50,000 matching gift from a long time west coast supporter that is good until 12/31!  

So let’s do this!

Organizing millions of voters across the country to go from “supporting open primaries” to “getting to work opening our primaries” is a tall order. It’s going to take years of thoughtful, aggressive, inspired and creative outreach. And we’re ready for it. 

We need serious resources to make all the work that needs to be done possible. Big goals require big investment. If you haven’t already, can you make a special tax deductible contribution TODAY to help us hit our goal:

Have a great weekend and holiday season,

The Open Primaries Team