John --
The general election is now two weeks away, and voter interest has reached an all-time high for a midterm, which traditionally doesn’t see either the engagement or turnout that a presidential election brings. The tide started to turn in 2018, and this year, a majority of registered voters polled by NBC News <[link removed]> say this election is “more important” to them than past midterms.
That’s great news, right? Well, yes, but dig a little deeper, and the reasons for it are concerning. According to NBC, “Eighty percent of both Democrats and Republicans believe the political opposition poses such a threat that they will destroy America as we know it if they win. Further, two-thirds of reliable Democratic and Republican voters say they’d still support their party’s political candidate, even if that person had a moral failing that wasn’t consistent with their own values.” That’s two-party polarization at its very worst.
But there is a better way. For a glimpse at the more civil, rational, independent political environment we could have with election reform, look no further than Alaska. The state’s ranked-choice voting system is unlocking candidates from the shackles of partisanship and allowing them to build alliances across parties based on shared values.
The most notable example is Forward-endorsed Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, who have endorsed each other <[link removed]> ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Both are facing Trump-backed candidates in tight races, with Murkowski seeking re-election against Republican Kelly Tshibaka, and Peltola seeking a full term against former Gov. Sarah Palin and other Republican challengers. Murkowski on Friday praised Peltola, the first Alaska Native congressional member in U.S. history, and said she would rank her first on her ballot. Peltola responded, "I'm voting for her, so we’re even-steven.” Now that’s Forward-thinking.
- Fears over fate of democracy leave many voters frustrated and resigned —The New York Times <[link removed]>
- <[link removed]>Side effect of divisive politics? Unaffiliated voter numbers rise —The Washington Post <[link removed]>
- <[link removed]>National election-reform advocates look to Alaska —Anchorage Daily News <[link removed]>
- <[link removed]>Alaska’s independents have something to say to the rest of the country —Politico <[link removed]>
- <[link removed]>These third-party candidates could have a big impact on the midterms —The Hill <[link removed]>
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IN OTHER NEWS & VIEWS
Voter intimidation in Arizona
At least two Arizona voters have filed complaints of voter intimidation to Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs’ office in the past few days. One claimed "camo-clad people" were taking pictures while an early ballot was dropped off outside the Maricopa County election headquarters. The other alleged that they were filmed and accused of “being a mule” while submitting their ballot to another drop box in Maricopa County. Two groups—an association for retirees and an organization for Latino voters—have even sought a temporary restraining order <[link removed]> against another group they accuse of voter intimidation. —Axios <[link removed]>
Hyden: We have the tools to save democracy. We only have to use them
“Those who are blindly loyal to a party or political leader are more likely to believe that their own government is a threat if their party isn't firmly in power. Moreover, they are more inclined to believe easily disprovable falsehoods when disseminated within their ideological groups. This may explain why some partisans on both sides of the aisle see threats virtually everywhere. Some level of distrust and skepticism of government is healthy, but considering our democratic and constitutional forms as dangers to democracy is another thing. … Fortunately, a vast majority [of Americans] believes that we have the tools and abilities to peacefully right the ship within our system of government. Doing so and fostering trust won't be easy. But Americans can start by reaching across the aisle to bridge the ideological divide and ensuring that we don't amplify and promote extreme voices.” —Marc Hyden in The Newnan Times-Herald <[link removed]>
Priola: ‘If you don’t like what’s going on…you’re not trapped’
“You have free will. You can register independent. You can register with the Democratic Party. You can be part of a third party. [W]e in this country have choices. Legislators have choices; elected officials have choices; citizens have choices.” —Kevin Priola in The xxxxxx <[link removed]>
Note: Kevin Priola is a Colorado state senator who switched party affiliation from Republican to Democratic earlier this year, citing concerns about election integrity and climate. In this piece, he is interviewed about his choice by Tim Miller, writer-at-large at The xxxxxx.
Alaska’s Sen. Lisa Murkowski is just one of the federal, state, and local candidates that the Forward Party was proud to endorse this cycle, because they are as committed to our core principles and democracy reform efforts as we are. For a full list of Forward’s 2022 endorsements, click here <[link removed]>, and if you can, please lend your support!
All the best,
The Forward Party Team
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