Open Primaries Ballot Initiatives Filed in Oregon Former Governor Leads the Charge

More than 1.3 million registered Oregon independents-the largest group of voters in the state- don’t have a say in closed primary elections, but two potential ballot initiatives could change that in the November 2026 election.

Election reformers have been trying to change Oregon’s primary system for nearly two decades. What’s different this time is that one of the three chief petitioners of the initiatives is an unlikely champion for change: former Gov. Ted Kulongoski, a Democrat who arguably contributed more to his party’s control of Oregon politics than anybody else. He’s joined by former state Rep. Cheri Helt (R-Bend) and Andrew Kaza, co-chair of the state council of the Independent Party of Oregon. Initiative 55 would amend the Oregon Constitution to eliminate partisan primaries, and Initiative 56 would create a new process in which all candidates would be listed on a single ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election.

We’re in touch with the petitioners and we’ll keep you updated as the effort progresses.

Supreme Court Lawsuit Makes Waves in the Media

As we mentioned last week, the Supreme Court denied cert in the case of Polelle v.Byrd; a case challenging Florida’s closed primary in the federal courts. Check out OP SVP Jeremy Gruber, who leads our litigation team, as he breaks down all the ways this case represents a major step forward in the fight to win open primaries in court. Since the decision, Professor Pollele has hit the press across Florida and the country, emerging as one of the most articulate spokespeople for taking primary reform to court. Check him out in the Florida Phoenix, Listen to him in this excellent long-form interview on the Smerconish podcast and then watch him in action on CNN below:

“Dream Team” of Lawyers Assembles to Discuss Taking Closed Primaries To Court

Last Friday’s virtual discussion, Taking the Fight for Open Primaries to Court, proved to be a dynamic conversation about the importance of litigation in movement building and the growing tension between the rights of voters, 47% of whom are independents, and the rights of political parties.  

Our “legal eagles” - Boyd Rutherford (MD), Chad Peace (CA), Matt Fontana (PA), Jeremy Gruber (NY), and Michael Polelle (FL) - were stupendous. Our movement is lucky to have such a talented, committed, (and growing!) network of legal minds who believe that no citizen should be required to join a private organization to participate in public elections. Check it out:  

The Gerrymandering Fight is About Democracy -- But Not for the Reasons You Think

No matter where you look, the gerrymandering fight between Republicans and Democrats is taking center stage and Americans are being told to pick a side in a “fight for democracy.” 

This fight certainly has everything to do with the future of our democracy, but not for the reasons political leaders on both sides want the voters to believe. Open Primaries President John Opdycke and SVP Jeremy Gruber break down everything that’s happening in a timely oped this week. The solution, they note, demands a lot of us but is very American:

Check it out here.

Record Low Competition in the Midterm General Elections Expected 

Two new reports, from Unite America and the Cook Political Report, are out this week offering sober predictions for the competitiveness of next year’s midterm general elections for Congress. 

The Cook report announced this week that it expects only 17 of the 435 House seats to be up for grabs between Republican and Democratic Party candidates with the rest firmly in control of either party.

Meanwhile, a new Unite analysis found 90% of U.S House and 80% of U.S Senate seats already predetermined. As Unite concluded:

Let Us Vote has launched a National Poll of independent voters. 

Independent voters are now 47% of American voters, yet they are still misunderstood, in many instances willfully ignored by the media and the political class, and in 14 states denied the right to vote in primaries they help pay for with their tax dollars.  

So, it’s time for independents to speak for themselves and share how they think about the current political picture.  If you’re an independent voter, take a moment and take the national poll. Then share the poll – there are easy share buttons at the end of the poll. Send an email to other independent voters you know and invite them to take the poll. Share the poll on your social media – FB, Twitter, LinkedIn. 

We want to reach 10,000 independent Americans by November 10th!

Oklahoma Campaign Is On A Roll

The 90-day signature gathering effort for State Question 836 (top two open primaries) officially kicks off next week— and they'll be holding launch events in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. From there, volunteers will be fanning out to every corner of the state to make sure every Oklahoman has a chance to sign and have their voice heard. Sign up to volunteer!

Meanwhile, OK City voter Estefania Gruenstein has come out with a new piece on why she’s supporting the effort. As she tells it:

Open Primaries has been a staunch partner of the campaign from its inception. You can support the campaign HERE and we’ll keep you updated on its progress.

Our friend and Iowa Gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand continues to talk about how closed primaries shut out voters and shut down political accountability as he travels across the Hawkeye state and takes his message of reform national. Check him out on CBS’s Major Garrett show talking about why he’s such a fierce advocate for change:

And if you missed it, check out our discussion last month with Sand: Rise Of An Independent Leader: A Conversation w/ Iowa Gubernatorial Candidate Rob Sand.

Have a great weekend-

The Open Primaries Team