Independents Impact New Jersey’s Elections

In a feature piece for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Let Us Vote campaign activists talk about the largest group of voters in the Garden State-independents! 

And who are New Jersey's independents? They are increasingly younger voters, with 45% of Gen Z voters registering as independents. These voters are no longer willing to stand in the shadows, they are getting involved in their state and impacting elections in the process.

Deep in the Heart of Texas…

The Texas GOP has filed a federal lawsuit to force the Lone Star State to implement partisan voter registration and closed primaries.  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, on behalf of the State of Texas, filed a motion for consent judgement, siding with the Texas GOP in their effort to close the primaries. In the motion, he asked Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson to join him, though Nelson has declined to do so and has hired outside counsel to fight the lawsuit.  On behalf of millions of Texas independents....Thank you Secretary Nelson!  

In a motion filed in court, Nelson called the motion for consent judgment “brazen and misguided.” The 22 page motion makes various claims that the lawsuit is defective, including contending that the court should allow time for the state legislature to make any changes desired by the plaintiffs ahead of the 2028 primary. The full statement from the Secretary of State and links to the motions filed can be found here.

And Joe Kirby, a longtime Open Primaries spokesperson from South Dakota, has published an  important new op-ed in The Dallas Morning News on how closing the primaries will hurt the Texas GOP. In the piece, Kirby talks about how his state’s closed primaries have removed competition and innovation and replaced them with corruption and stagnation.

As Kirby warns:

Election Day Media

OP President John Opdycke joined host Paul Rieckhoff on the Independent Americans podcast this week for a smart and urgent conversation about how independent voters have the numbers but not the narrative.  They explore the impact of closed primaries, and how the independent movement is fighting back–in states ranging from Oklahoma to Texas to Pennsylvania to Maryland.   

And OP SVP Jeremy Gruber penned an editorial on just how dysfunctional and disempowering NYC’s elections are in a headline piece for the NY Daily News that exposes just how anti-voter New York politics has become.  From coercive voter registration drives, to primary elections that shut out over a million independents; from low turnout primaries to weighted ballots, Gruber explores how the Democratic establishment in NYC exploits the rules of the game and produces unrepresentative candidates. As he puts it:

Oklahoma Campaign Ramps Up Signature Drive

The 90-day signature gathering effort for State Question 836 (top two open primaries) has started!  It’s a sprint - just 90 days to gather 172,000 valid signatures.  Volunteer & hired petitioners are now working hard from the panhandle to Tulsa so every Oklahoman has a chance to sign and have their voice heard. If you live in Oklahoma, please sign up to volunteer!  The campaign will train you how to gather signatures - it’s easy, fun, and powerful!  

Fundraising for the drive continues with a major fundraising event in Tulsa just last night. Will you join local donors? Every dollar ensures this important campaign makes it on the 2026 ballot.

Oregon Ballot Initiative Making Headlines

As we’ve been reporting, a pair of ballot initiatives to open the primaries in Oregon were filed by former state Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D), former state Rep. Cheri Helt (R-Bend) and Andrew Kaza, co-chair of the state council of the Independent Party of Oregon.  

They lay out a unique new form of top two primary, one that offers parties and independent candidates a choice-participate in a top two open primary where every voter votes or pay your own way with a party caucus or by gathering signatures if you’re an independent candidate.

The campaign is raising eyebrows across the Beaver state. Check out the latest coverage.

Can Two Party Politics Meet the Needs of the People? 

A Conversation w/ Independent Candidate for Governor of Maine Rick Bennett

Tuesday November 18th 2025 at 3pm ET

Hosted by John Opdycke

Former State Senate President Rick Bennett represented Mainers for decades as a Republican, but in June he announced he’s leaving the GOP and running for Governor as an Independent: 

“I’m running as an independent because Maine’s next chapter can’t be dictated by party bosses in Washington or by the special interests pouring dark money into our elections.Too many politicians today are more focused on partisan point-scoring than problem-solving. The system thrives on conflict, not resolution, and the issues that matter most – housing, our economy, our schools – get lost in the noise.”

Is this an anomaly, a trend, or who knows?  What does it mean for the independent reform movement when successful politicians like Bennett declare their independence from the binary status quo?  

On Tuesday November 18th at 3pm ET Open Primaries President John Opdycke will sit down with Bennett for a conversation where he’ll ask the simple but big question: 

Can Two Party Politics Meet the Needs of the People?

Register today!

Applications are open for the next Independents’ Spokesperson Training — happening Tuesday, January 27 at 6:30pm ET (via Zoom).

Apply Here  

Open Primaries’ Independents’ Spokesperson Training has empowered hundreds of independent and reform-minded voters from across the country to tell their stories with confidence and impact. In this dynamic, interactive program, participants learn to articulate why they’re independent, challenge partisan myths, and communicate powerfully about the need for open, inclusive elections.

Through a mix of education, performance-based coaching, and storytelling exercises, trainees work directly with professional trainers and political innovators to build their voice and presence. The training offers a rare space where independents can connect, share experiences, and grow as leaders in their communities.

Here’s what recent participants had to say:

Learn how to tell your story, challenge partisan myths, and speak out for open, inclusive elections.

Join hundreds of independents nationwide who’ve already taken part.

Have a great weekend,

The Open Primaries Team