John —

Americans want elections that are easier to vote in and harder to mess with. That is a goal we share. Let’s start with an important truth. Our elections are not rigged at the ballot box. Votes are counted, audited, and checked. But the broader system is distorted in other ways, especially by discriminatory ballot access rules and structural barriers built by the two major parties that make it harder for independent and third-party candidates to compete. That is where reform is needed.

The Constitution gives primary responsibility for running elections to the states. That was not an accident. It was a deliberate guardrail against concentrating too much power in one place. A decentralized system spreads risk, encourages innovation, and makes manipulation more difficult. It is far harder to tamper with 50 different state systems than it is to target one giant centralized one. Moving all election control to Washington would not strengthen trust or security. It would create a single point of failure and a single point of political control.

Nationalizing elections would also tilt the playing field even further toward the two major parties. Today, third parties and independents can at least compete under varied state rules, with some states offering more accessible paths to ballot access and alternative voting models. A single national standard would almost certainly be written by and for the dominant parties, likely locking in stricter requirements nationwide and closing off those pathways. That is not modernization. That is consolidation.

We absolutely support real election reform. That means making it easier for eligible citizens to vote, easier for candidates to run, and easier for voters to have real choices. It means fair ballot access rules, open competition, transparency, and strong security practices. What it does not mean is a federal takeover of election administration.

Election reform should expand participation and trust, not concentrate power. When reform turns into control, voters lose.

Forward this to your friends, family, coworkers - helps us introduce them to Forward and what we are trying to build. We would also love it if you could invite them to one of our upcoming events listed below.

So back to changing the system...

We are excited about the huge, warm reception that the first episode of our newly announced podcast received! Since we're on a roll with these announcements, we have another one: We have rebranded our podcast and settled on a final name: The Forward Party Podcast. This is more descriptive and searchable and better captures the breadth of content and ideas we will be bringing to you over the coming months. Thank you for all the feedback!

Now on to even more exciting things: The next episode of The Forward Party Podcast is now live! In this second episode, hosts Lindsey Drath, Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey explore a shared question shaping American civic life right now: How do we rebuild trust, restore dialogue, and lead without falling into partisan traps? The conversation brings together two distinct voices who approach that challenge from different angles, yet land on strikingly similar conclusions about leadership, speech, and responsibility.

First to join them in the discussion is journalist and author Rikki Schlott, a columnist for the New York Post and co-author of The Canceling of the American Mind. Drawing from her reporting and personal experience as a Gen Z writer navigating today’s campus climate, Rikki offers a candid look at how free speech debates, social media incentives, and institutional failures are shaping young people’s political identities.

The episode then turns to Minnesota, where Mike Newcome, a Forward Party candidate for governor, joins the conversation. Mike brings a practical lens shaped by decades as a business leader and his current campaign.

We hope you enjoy! Don't forget to let us know what you think. Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast - Behind the Scenes reel  

First Independent Party candidate enters AZ Governor race

The newly minted Arizona Independent Party — formerly the No Labels Party of Arizona — announced its first gubernatorial candidate Tuesday: local health care entrepreneur Hugh Lytle.

Why it matters: The party, chaired by former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson, believes it can disrupt the two-party system by creating an easier path for nonpartisan candidates to seek office.

NY Forward Monthly Happy Hour

Come join us on the second Tuesday of each month as New York Forwardists gather in Midtown Manhattan to chat politics and hang out casually. All are welcome!

National Volunteer Call

Please join our head of volunteer engagement, Carrie Anne, for a 30-minute rundown of all things Forward Party! Meet other volunteers, hear what's happening in the committees and other states, and stay abreast of party news. This call is for any level of volunteer in any state, and is a great starting point if this is your first time getting involved! Zoom meeting link will be sent after you RSVP.

Policy Seminar

This event is being hosted by our incredible California team! Please click above to RSVP and get the link to join.

The Power of Your Story

This event is a practical, introductory session designed for those who are curious about running for office, actively running, or supporting Forward-aligned candidates. The event will feature Lauren Pinkston, an independent candidate for Governor of Tennessee, who will share how she is using her personal story as a core part of her digital campaign and how candidates at any level can apply those strategies in their own races.

Hosts Caroline Anderson and moderator Kayla Sullivan will bring their firsthand campaign experience to the conversation, highlighting key lessons learned, offering guidance for navigating a run for office, and discussing how campaign teams can effectively elevate a candidate’s story through digital media to build authentic connections with voters.

Contrary to what our detractors on social media say, YES, we read!

Poll: Americans Reject 'Money = Speech' by Landslide; Want Power Back from Supreme Court

A new poll from the campaign finance reform group, American Promise, shows most Americans across the political spectrum agree: Money is not speech and unlimited political spending should not be protected as such under the First Amendment.