Open Primaries Joins Fight To Stop Repeal of Independent Redistricting in CA

Typically, states redraw congressional and legislative districts after the decennial census to reflect population shifts. But the fight between Democrats and Republicans for control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections has pushed Texas (and possibly Ohio) to seek advantage by working to enact a GOP-led redistricting effort that they believe would give Republicans more seats and help them hold their narrow majority. But it isn't the only state where redistricting pushes are underway, as California, New York and other Democratic Party led states are considering similar moves as a race to the bottom unfolds.

As OP President John Opdycke writes in a new editorial about the fight:

The difference with California is that it has an independent redistricting commission that was adopted and continues to be developed by voters in the state. Now CA Governor Gavin Newsom and other political insiders are proposing putting their judgement ahead of the voters by suspending it for multiple election cycles. That’s why Open Primaries has joined a growing list of organizations to form the Voters First Coalition to fight back. As our letter to the Governor states:

The potential repeal of independent redistricting may just be the beginning and in the coming weeks and months we will be organizing against any politician, organization or special interest that seeks to roll back voter approved reforms in the state. To learn more about the coalition, click here. And if you’re a Californian and want to get involved, email Cathy Stewart, National Organizing Director at [email protected].

In a new piece in the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska reform leader Scott Kendall lays out exactly why a destructive campaign by the Governor to decimate education funding was met by an unusual legislative veto. “How did this happen?” he posits. He offers a three word answer-”open primary elections.” As Kendall notes:

Pennsylvania:

Michael Smerconish, the CNN host, journalist and podcaster who's also a plaintiff in the Open Primaries backed lawsuit challenging closed primaries in PA has been all over the local and national airwaves talking about the lawsuit, primary reform and his identity as an independent voter. In particular, he goes head to head in the Philadelphia Citizen this week to debate the very foundations of primary reform.

As Smerconish declares:

The opposing view is offered by Kyle Sammin, managing editor of Broad + Liberty:

The political parties are private organizations dedicated to electing people who will further the political aims of their members. Now, many in Harrisburg want to invite non-members — even members who outright oppose a given party’s mission — to help choose the parties’ nominees. It doesn’t make a lot of sense.

It’s a tired argument, but for his final conclusion:

On that we couldn’t agree more!

Last month, we wrote about No Labels fight to keep down ballot candidates from using their party line and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that ruled against them, stating: 

“A party does not have 'monolithic control over its own members and supporters.' In fact, we have long rejected the idea that political parties have the right to nominate 'whomever they want, however they want.'"

Now the backers of primary reform in Arizona, including former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson, have struck a deal with the organization to run independent candidates on the No Labels AZ ballot line. Johnson explained the driving motivation of the merger:

“Parties have been fighting over a narrower and narrower ground trying to appeal to the extremes in both of their parties…Because of gerrymandered districts, they don't really ever have to appeal to voters in the general election … and, consequently, most of the major issues end up going unresolved.”

Kudos to all involved for working together to build a stronger reform effort.

Last week, the DC City Council voted to ignore the will of the voters; 73% of whom approved Initiative 83 last year for open primaries and RCV.  With a brazen middle finger, the Council found a pathway to institute a new voting method (RCV), but couldn’t find a pathway to allowing 80,000 voters to cast a ballot. 

Shawn Griffiths offers a pointed and biting new critique of what just happened in IVN:

Who are the 80,000 voters shut out? Watch the video.

Our new Spokesperson Training Program is now holding an open application process for its next session in October. Held on Zoom, the program offers independents and reform-minded citizens a creative space to develop your skills and share with others why you have chosen to be independent.

The training has attracted hundreds of participants, including many leaders in the open primaries movement. Participants will be presented with an overview of who independents are across the country, learn key talking points to dispel commonly held myths about who we are, have a Q&A session with independent leader Jackie Salit, and get performance training from top-notch professional trainers.

 If you're interested in applying for the upcoming session, which will be Tuesday October 28th at 6:30pm ET, Apply here or email Gwen Mandell, Open Primaries’ Director of Leadership Development at [email protected] for more information.

Have a great weekend

The Open Primaries Team