Independent Voter Podcast

Chad, Cara, and Shawn break down the brewing bipartisan campaign to repeal California's Top Two primary - exactly the move IVP has been predicting for months. They unpack the manufactured "two Republicans in the top two" panic, why Shirley Weber and party leadership keep siding against independent voters, and why the academic research (yes, including Cambridge) backs Top Two. Then Ethan drops fresh IVP polling out of LA - Spencer Pratt, Karen Bass, and a governor's race where Steve Hilton is suddenly playing for Trump's endorsement instead of reform. The conversation closes with gerrymandering, Prop 50 fallout, and why packing districts may have accidentally handed independents more power than ever.  This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 – California Parties Push to Repeal the Top Two Primary 00:02:17 – Why Party Leaders Want Control Back 00:03:25 – The Fight Over Independent Voter Rights 00:05:04 – Closed Primaries vs. More Voter Choice 00:06:07 – Big Money, Party Power, and Democracy Claims 00:08:09 – How Top Two Changed California Politics 00:12:13 – The More Choice California Coalition Explained 00:14:02 – Alaska, Ranked Choice Voting, and Reform Momentum 00:17:16 – Polarization, Voter Exhaustion, and Broken Incentives 00:20:14 – New Polling, Independent Voters, and the 2026 Governor Race

Cara and Shawn break down the manufactured "jungle primary" panic out of California (there's roughly an 8% chance of a two-Republican general), then get into Alaska's Top Four success story, Wes Moore's surprise open-primary moment on Bill Maher and the awkward walkback that followed, and a Supreme Court bombshell out of Louisiana that just got an entire election canceled. Chad Peace jumps in to explain why the courts police racial gerrymandering but won't touch partisan gerrymandering - and what that means for independent voters.  This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Debate Fallout and Top Two Primary Controversy 00:02:20 – Ballots Drop and the Governor’s Race Heats Up 00:03:07 – The “Two Republicans” Narrative Explained 00:04:44 – How Top Two Actually Works vs “Jungle Primary” Myth 00:07:30 – Reform Options: Top Four, Top Five, and Alaska Model 00:10:18 – Wes Moore, Independents, and Political Incentives 00:13:53 – Closed Primaries and Power Behind the Scenes 00:19:23 – Supreme Court Ruling and Redistricting Fallout 00:24:25 – Gerrymandering, Race, and Partisan Advantage 00:28:02 – Independent Voters and the Fight for Equal Voting Rights

Cara McCormick sits down with former California state senator Steve Peace - author of the Top Two primary law - to react to the California governor's race debate. They unpack the most memorable moments (Becerra's "Steve Hilton's daddy" line, Hilton waving the insurance statute at Becerra on stage, Katie Porter catching Tom Steyer on his own contradiction), why the moderators' yes-or-no format is killing real debate, and why Peace says "there's no longer a constituency for governance." From there, the conversation traces a pattern Peace has watched play out for 30 years - the same playbook that wrecked California's insurance market and energy market is now hitting housing - and ends on why Prop 50, the "jungle primary" smear campaign, and the death of citizen government all connect back to one thing: partisan primaries.  This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 – The Case for the Political Middle Ground 00:01:05 – California Governor’s Race and Undecided Voters 00:03:00 – Partisan Narratives vs Real Governance 00:07:30 – Debate Culture, Soundbites, and Media Incentives 00:12:30 – Why Yes/No Politics Fails Complex Issues 00:19:00 – Cost of Living, Regulation, and Policy Tradeoffs 00:28:40 – Housing Crisis and the “Abundance” Debate 00:34:30 – How Partisan Primaries Distort Democracy 00:43:00 – The Collapse of Bipartisan Problem-Solving 00:56:00 – Open Primaries and the Future of Elections  

Breaking down Steve Hilton's Trump endorsement, why two Republicans advancing is never going to happen, and how Democrats may be using that fake threat to dismantle nonpartisan primaries altogether. Plus: the Swalwell rumors making waves before June 2nd, a Green Party candidate kicked off the ballot over tax returns, and where the massive undecided independent voter bloc actually lands. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Independent Voter Podcast opening 00:00:23 - California Governor's Race 2026: Trump Endorses Steve Hilton & Poll Manipulation Exposed 00:06:18 - Eric Swalwell Scandal & Green Party Candidate Removed From California Ballot 00:09:02 - Trump Tariffs & Iran War: How One Truth Social Post Moves the Stock Market 00:10:57 - US Coast Guard Unpaid for 50 Days & FEMA Official Claims Divine Teleportation 00:17:36 - Trump Threatens to Destroy Iran Next to the Easter Bunny: 25th Amendment Calls Grow 00:20:50 - California Voter ID 2026: Clean State Bill vs. Trump's Federal Voter ID Law Explained 00:23:42 - How Democrats & Republicans Both Use Voter ID to Divide Voters Instead of Fix It 00:28:43 - Ranked Choice Voting Updates, Colorado Gerrymandering & Campaign Finance Amendment Hits 25 States 00:34:20 - Why Independent Voters Are Done With the Two-Party System & What's Actually Changing

Trump just signed an executive order directing DHS to build a federal voter list and instructing the USPS to only deliver ballots to "verified" voters. Legal experts say it's unconstitutional. Steve Peace - the man who wrote California's nonpartisan primary - joins the Independent Voter Podcast to break down what the order actually does, why the USPS argument is cleverer than you think, and how California already has a solution sitting on the table that neither party wants to talk about. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Cold Open 00:01:17 - Trump's Voting Executive Order: Federal Overreach or Clever Move? 00:07:29 - Democrats & Transparency: Why Are They Hiding the Ballots? 00:10:01 - Mail-In Voting Debate: Is Democracy Getting Too Easy? 00:14:08 - The Future of Voting: ATMs, Blockchain & Election Day 00:17:45 - Swalwell's Lawyers Just Torched His Campaign 00:23:05 - California Governor's Race: Who's Actually Ready? 00:30:40 - Bianco vs. Hilton: Fame, English Accents & The Republican Slot 00:33:13 - Election Reform Round-Up: Arizona, Buffalo & Page Against the Machine 00:38:07 - Tabloid Politics, Clickbait Culture & Who We Are

This week on the Independent Voter Podcast, California sheriff Chad Bianco seizes 650,000 ballots while running for governor, the Supreme Court takes on mail-in ballot deadlines that could invalidate millions of votes, and TSA agents walk off the job unpaid while Washington refuses a deal that's already on the table. Plus, one congressman just made a move that almost nobody in U.S. history has made - and it could reshape the 2026 California primary in ways nobody is talking about yet. Want to go deeper? Here's where to find us: This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Cold Open: Ballots, Broken Government & Big Claims 00:01:10 - Sheriff Seizes 650,000 Ballots in California 00:04:44 - FBI, Maricopa & Fulton County: Who's Really Cheating? 00:07:12 - Supreme Court Could End Mail-In Ballot Grace Periods 00:18:04 - Ranked Choice Voting Is Coming to Los Angeles 00:24:19 - Trump's Pearl Harbor Joke to the Japanese Prime Minister 00:28:02 - Kevin Kiley: The Only Independent in Congress 00:31:53 - TSA Agents Unpaid & Trump Won't Take the Deal 00:35:33 - Paige Against the Machine: Fighting Congressional Stock Trading 00:37:00 - Why the Two-Party System Keeps Failing You

What happens when only a small percentage of voters actually decide elections? TSA delays and government shutdowns. This is the end result of a political system driven by closed primaries, low turnout, and strategic campaigning. Chad Peace, Cara McCormick, and Shawn Griffiths break down how the spoiler effect, media influence, and super PAC spending shape outcomes long before voters have a real say, and what reforms could open the system to real competition and broader participation. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Government Shutdown Hits TSA and Travelers 00:02:45 – Who’s to Blame? Breaking Down the DHS Funding Fight 00:07:09 – The Bigger Problem: Political Dysfunction by Design 00:10:07 – Closed Primaries and Why Most Voters Don’t Matter 00:13:08 – 23% Wins: How Broken Elections Undermine Representation 00:15:03 – The Spoiler Effect Explained (and Weaponized) 00:18:13 – California Governor Race and the Illusion of Choice 00:23:40 – Name ID, Media Power, and How Candidates Are Chosen 00:25:08 – Super PAC Money and the Real Influence Behind Elections 00:33:30 – Media Narratives and Why Independents Get Ignored

Most Americans support voter ID, so why is this fight so explosive? It’s simple: the two-party system keeps turning a broadly popular reform into a partisan weapon. Instead of solving the issue, both sides use it to energize their base and deepen distrust. We unpack the SAVE America Act, the cost and paperwork of proving citizenship, and the independent case for balancing election security with equal access to the ballot. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 – The Politics of Voter ID and Election Integrity 00:01:12 – Inside Today’s Episode: Wealth Tax, Voting Laws, and Reform Updates 00:02:19 – California’s Billionaire Wealth Tax Explained 00:06:11 – California’s Budget, Spending Questions, and Tax Policy Debate 00:08:31 – Why Wealth Taxes Failed in Europe 00:13:02 – The Voter ID Debate: Federal SAFE Act vs California Proposal 00:18:41 – Could Strict Voter ID Requirements Become a Poll Tax? 00:33:38 – Independent Candidates and California’s Nonpartisan Primary System 00:38:10 – Ranked Choice Voting Momentum in Wisconsin and DC 00:41:42 – Oklahoma Reform Effort Blocked by Petition Signature Rules

Money in politics isn't just a talking point - it's reshaping every policy outcome in Washington. This week, Chad and Cara sit down with Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United, a 4-million-member organization fighting to get dark money out of our elections and power back to the people. They dig into the real mechanics: the stock trading ban, discharge petitions, transparency legislation, and why Congress spends 30 hours a week fundraising instead of governing. Plus - Cara's big Maine win and what it means for the broader movement. If you're skeptical that anything can actually change, this episode is for you. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction & The Case Against Citizens United 00:01:33 - Meet Tiffany Muller: From Social Worker to Democracy Activist 00:04:23 - How Do We Actually Fix This? The Mechanics of Reform 00:06:12 - The Maine Win & Nonpartisan Support for Reform 00:07:32 - Constitutional Amendments, Supreme Court & Super PACs 00:09:49 - The Stock Trading Ban & Congressional Gridlock 00:12:53 - Transparency, Dark Money & How Big Money Adapts 00:15:53 - The People vs. The Money: Can Reform Actually Win? 00:18:41 - Congress Spends 30 Hours a Week Fundraising 00:23:40 - How to Get Involved & Final Thoughts

James Talarico wins Texas’ Democratic Senate primary as campaigns point to unusually high independent participation in the state’s open primary system. Then Dallas County’s last-minute switch back to precinct-only voting sparks confusion, long lines, and a legal fight over ballots cast after 7 p.m. in the GOP primary between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 Texas Primary Night & Dallas Voting Chaos 00:07:42 Ken Paxton, Open Primaries & The Independent Vote 00:09:18 Talarico, Cruz & How Low Turnout Elects Senators 00:13:50 ShamWow Guy Runs for Congress 00:14:15 U.S. Strikes Iran & The War Powers Debate 00:20:15 Fetterman Shakes Trump's Hand — Alone 00:28:30 The FEC Is Shut Down & Campaign Finance Wild West 00:33:01 Ranked Choice Voting Coming to Los Angeles? 00:37:32 Voter ID Bills: Not All Are the Same 00:41:49 California Billionaire Wealth Tax Explained

Tune in for our independent breakdown of Trump’s record-length 2026 State of the Union: voter ID + proof of citizenship, immigration rhetoric, affordability vs “winning” messaging, a rare bipartisan beat on banning stock trading, and the moment the chamber unified around a Coast Guard rescue. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Cold Open: Citizenship, Voter ID & Affordability 00:01:21 – IVP Poll Goes Viral 00:03:00 – Voter ID and the Republican Trust Gap 00:06:15 – SAVE Act, Proof of Citizenship & Texas Voters 00:09:05 – State of the Union: Decorum & Political Theater 00:11:55 – Both Parties Tone Deaf on the Economy 00:14:31 – ICE, Hard-Line Rhetoric & Creating Enemies 00:17:42 – Gerrymandering & the Broken Primary System 00:21:07 – Killer Tomatoes & Campaign Finance Reform 00:28:23 – Maine, Ranked Choice Voting & the Road Ahead  

Are election rules protecting voters or protecting parties? Chad Peace and Cara McCormick break down voter ID laws, Texas Republicans shutting out independents, the FCC's move against late night TV, and why Gallup stopped polling. Independent voters are nearly half the electorate,  and the parties are scared.  This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Cold Open, What Gives Us Energy 00:02:03 – Voter ID: SAVE Act vs California Initiative 00:06:09 – Clean Voter ID or Political Overreach? 00:10:15 – Colbert, CBS, and FCC Censorship Debate 00:15:53 – Trump, Media Bias, and the First Amendment 00:20:46 – Texas Open Primaries and Party Hypocrisy 00:26:16 – States’ Rights and Who Controls Elections 00:28:56 – Ranked Choice Voting, NFL MVP, and Reform Debates 00:34:53 – California Primaries, Gerrymandering, and Party Power 00:40:02 – Gallup Ends Presidential Polling and the Future of Public Opinion

The House just passed the SAVE America Act - national voter ID + proof of citizenship to register. On the Independent Voter Podcast, we unpack what’s in the bill, why polls show broad support for voter ID, and the sticking points: which IDs count (student ID?), costs (should IDs be free?), and whether new rules could block eligible voters before 2026.  Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to the Independent Voter Podcast 00:02:30 – Missouri Gerrymander and Filing Deadline Chaos 00:05:24 – Maine Ranked Choice Voting Expansion Debate 00:10:04 – Ballot Initiatives and Signature Verification 00:12:32 – California’s Top-Two Primary and Governor’s Race 00:20:50 – Congressional Stock Trading Ban Stalemate 00:22:13 – SAVE Act and National Voter ID Debate 00:26:00 – Federal Overreach and the “Mega Act” 00:29:16 – Mail Voting, Ballot Harvesting, and Election Integrity 00:34:04 – IVP Updates and Closing

Emmy-winning investigative reporter Chris Papst (Project Baltimore) unpacks Failure Factory: soaring Baltimore City Public Schools budgets, stagnant outcomes, grade-changing allegations, and public-records battles that raise waste and potential fraud red flags. What real accountability could look like for taxpayers, parents, and students. As the nation grapples with government fraud allegations across the country, Papst brings a unique perspective. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Why Independent Voters Need a Different Education Conversation 00:00:29 – Introducing Chris Papst and the Failure Factory Investigation 00:01:42 – Following the Money: Rising School Budgets, Stagnant Outcomes 00:05:27 – Graduation Rates vs Math Proficiency: The Data Gap 00:07:28 – Where the Money Really Went: Administrators Over Classrooms 00:11:46 – Grade Changing and the Illusion of Student Success 00:14:01 – Suing the School System and Uncovering Systemic Fraud 00:16:29 – Accountability Failure and the Role of Local Elections 00:21:18 – Broken Incentives, Leadership Failure, and Voter Responsibility  

Steve Peace, co-founder of the Independent Voter Project and architect of California’s top-two primary, breaks down the wide-open CA governor’s race and why campaigns still think in party buckets. The hosts dig into open primaries + ranked-choice, ICE/immigration and civil liberties, voter ID and ballot security, and the controversy over seized Fulton County ballots—plus a quick update on Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and the USS Midway’s Freedom Park. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to the Independent Voter Podcast 00:00:45 – Introducing Steve Peace and his role in California reform 00:02:00 – California’s wide-open governor’s race and early contenders 00:07:00 – Open primaries, party power, and why campaigns haven’t adapted 00:16:00 – Ranked choice voting and reform incentives 00:23:45 – ICE, immigration enforcement, and political overreach 00:31:10 – Voter ID, mail ballots, and election trust 00:44:10 – Federal seizure of ballots and election integrity debates 00:52:00 – Fear-driven fundraising and partisan narratives 01:02:30 – Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and closing reflections

Does the 4th Amendment protect only U.S. citizens - or everyone on U.S. soil? Chad and Cara dig into warrants, search-and-seizure limits, and how immigration enforcement tests constitutional boundaries. They also weigh the politics of voter ID - why it polls well, how ballot measures get framed, and what it means for trust and access in elections. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome Back and What’s Ahead 00:02:00 – Does the Constitution Apply to Everyone on U.S. Soil? 00:05:00 – ICE, Warrants, and Dangerous Precedents 00:07:30 – When Extremes Replace Nuance in Immigration Enforcement 00:08:25 – Oklahoma’s Fight to End Taxpayer-Funded Closed Primaries 00:13:50 – FCC, Equal Time Rules, and Leaving Independents Out 00:19:15 – Why Congress Still Won’t Ban Stock Trading 00:23:20 – Voter ID as an 80/20 Issue That Gets Weaponized 00:26:00 – California’s Governor Race and the Independent Lane 00:28:40 – Gerrymandering, Forced Party Registration, and the Way Forward

Political strategist and writer Gregory Graf joins the Independent Voter Podcast to break down Idaho’s semi-closed primaries, rising outside PAC money, and the growing split inside the GOP. Drawing on his reporting and analysis at Political Potatoes (https://politicalpotatoes.substack.com/) the hosts explore why open/nonpartisan primaries (and where ranked-choice fits) could change incentives - and how “aggressive civility” might lower the political temperature.  Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Why Idaho Politics Matter More Than You Think 00:02:20 – California Transplants and the Myth of “Turning Idaho Blue” 00:04:00 – How Closed Primaries Changed Idaho Elections 00:05:45 – Campaign Finance Caps, PAC Money, and Political Machines 00:07:10 – Independents as Idaho’s Second Largest Voting Bloc 00:08:45 – Budget Battles, School Choice, and Republican Infighting 00:11:15 – Ranked Choice Voting, Open Primaries, and Party Power 00:14:55 – How Party Establishments Block Reform Nationwide 00:18:30 – Political Hypocrisy, Threats, and the Cost of Speaking Out 00:25:00 – Aggressive Civility and Lowering the Temperature in Politics

A viral question - “Has ICE gone too far?” - turns into a deep dive on immigration enforcement after the Minneapolis shooting of Renee Nicole Good. The team weighs conflicting video narratives, what voters actually want ICE to prioritize, and reports of would-be citizens being turned away at naturalization ceremonies. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Why the ICE debate has exploded again 00:05:00 – Viral outrage, conflicting narratives, and selective facts 00:09:00 – What independent voters actually think about ICE 00:13:00 – Dangerous criminals vs. people following the rules 00:17:00 – Gerrymandering, Newsom, and bipartisan power games 00:22:00 – Trump, bravado politics, and market volatility 00:25:00 – Closed primaries and the myth of crossover sabotage 00:31:00 – Oregon, ballot language, and voter exclusion 00:36:00 – What it really means to be an independent voter

Ever wonder why independent voters keep getting sidelined, even as their numbers grow? IVP just conducted the largest-ever survey of California independent voters. Hosts Cara McCormick and Chad Peace break down what NPP voters are really demanding, why insiders fight to keep them on the margins, and how battles over ballot language, gerrymandering, and open primaries in states like Missouri, Nevada, West Virginia, and Alaska could reshape elections nationwide. We’re back each week digging into stories like this. Read more and follow along at IVN.us. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to the Independent Voter Podcast 00:01:16 – Inside the California NPP Poll and What It Reveals 00:03:05 – Missouri Ballot Language and Gerrymandering Games 00:07:44 – How Parties Manipulate Ballot Questions 00:10:44 – West Virginia Closes Its Primaries and Joe Manchin Responds 00:14:15 – Alaska, Ranked Choice Voting, and Senate Politics 00:18:06 – Independents Reach Record Highs Nationwide 00:24:30 – Nevada’s Push to Enshrine Equal Voting Rights 00:28:38 – Santa Clara’s Costly Runoff Election Problem 00:30:38 – What Comes Next for Independent Voters

Wondering how a major political figure walks away from power, and what that says about the system behind the scenes? This episode unpacks Tim Walz’s decision to step aside in Minnesota and how allegations around daycare funding brought to light by YouTuber Nick Shirley have cracked open a wide-open governor’s race. You’ll see how partisan spin quickly takes over moments like this, and why independent thinking matters when facts, accusations, and political incentives collide. Hosts Chad Peace and Cara McCormick break it down with real-world context, including what an open seat could mean for a Jesse Ventura-style independent run. We drop new episodes each week. You can read more and follow along at IVN.us. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to 2026 and the Return of Independent Voter 00:05:00 – Tim Walz Steps Aside and Minnesota’s Open Governor Race 00:07:30 – Could an Independent Win Again Like Jesse Ventura? 00:09:45 – The Minnesota Fraud Allegations and Oversight Failures 00:12:30 – When Scandals Become Wedge Politics 00:13:55 – Venezuela, Maduro, and the Politics of Intervention 00:20:35 – What Slips Through While the News Is Distracted 00:21:35 – The USPS Postmark Change That Affects Voting and Taxes 00:29:40 – California’s Voter ID Initiative and Ballot Language Games 00:44:05 – Alaska, Ranked Choice Voting, and the Fight Over Power

Prop 50 is redrawing California’s political battlefield, sparking new fears of gerrymandering, backroom mapmaking, and voters losing their voice. We cut through the spin to explain what’s really changing, who benefits, and what it could mean for competitive elections, election reform, and independent voters. Plus, Independent CA-40 candidate Nina Linh joins us to spell out how Prop 50’s map shifts are already reshaping her district - and her race. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us  Chapters: 00:00:00 – When Voters Decide and Politicians Push Back 00:01:13 – Missouri’s Gerrymandering Fight and Citizen Power 00:03:20 – The Games States Play to Block Reform 00:06:12 – Maine’s Ranked Choice Battle: A Warning Story 00:09:21 – Why Both Parties Fear Competition 00:11:16 – Inside the Largest Independent Voter Survey Ever 00:12:56 – Cannabis, Fox News, and the Regulation Irony 00:16:26 – Meet Nina Linh: From Democrat to Independent Candidate 00:21:43 – Affordability, Trust, and Why Voters Are Exhausted 00:27:48 – Gerrymandering, Voter ID, and What Comes Next  

Host Chad Peace and co-host Cara McCormick dive into the left’s political freak-out over Trump potentially rescheduling cannabis — and what it exposes about a system that weaponizes even 80/20 issues. With guest Adam Swart of Crowds on Demand, they go from weed reform to immigration to gerrymandering asking: Can independents help drag politics back to common sense solutions? Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – This Week’s Viral IVN Stories 00:01:20 – Trump and the Reclassification Shockwave 00:03:07 – When Politics Becomes Credit-Claiming 00:05:06 – Immigration, Extremes, and the Reality Most Americans Agree On 00:08:11 – Why Our Election System Fuels Division 00:10:15 – The Gerrymandering Bill Everyone Supported 00:13:30 – Why Good Ideas Don’t Win in Today’s Politics 00:15:39 – Trust, Representation, and What Voters Actually Want 00:21:33 – Meet Adam Swart: Inside the Business of Paid Protests 00:30:11 – Protest, Legitimacy, and Who Gets a Voice 00:40:58 – Takeaways and What’s Coming Next

Pro-democracy activists don’t just need to win reforms at the ballot box; they have to stay in the battle to keep their initiatives from being torn apart the morning after. On this week’s Independent Voter Podcast, Chad Peace and Cara McCormick lament the quiet persistence of partisan political sabotage: the delays, rewrites, and procedural tricks that greet any changes to the status quo, even when voters overwhelmingly approve. For anyone wondering why popular reforms like RCV and Open Primaries are so hard to pass and protect, this episode offers at least one answer: power never yields without sustained resistance, so reformers survive by comparing notes, learning from one another, and sticking together. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Kicking Off: What Journalists Keep Missing 00:00:32 – Snowstorms, San Diego Dreams & Reform Roots 00:03:40 – The Reform Playbook Only Insiders Know 00:06:13 – D.C.’s Top-Five Win… and the Political Bait-and-Switch 00:10:24 – Why Every Reform Fight Starts to Look the Same 00:11:06 – Inside D.C.’s Battle to Delay Ranked Choice Voting 00:14:23 – Power Players Will Always Use Every Tool They Can 00:17:14 – Exposing the Firms Profiting Off Disabled Veterans 00:22:11 – Who Actually Helps Veterans — and Who Pretends To 00:24:17 – Holidays, Kids, and a Warm Wrap to the Episod

In this episode of the Independent Voter Podcast, Chad and Cara dive into the exploding world of political prediction markets with special guest Chris Gerlacher of Prediction News—unpacking how platforms like Kalshi and crypto-based markets are reshaping how insiders gauge races from California governor to New York City mayor. Chad and Cara also highlight Shawn Griffiths’ latest election reform roundup at ivn.us, covering new signature drives in Oregon, Nevada, and Oklahoma to end taxpayer-funded closed primaries and expand rights for independent voters, as well as the gritty reality of signature gathering and ballot access. Plus, Cara breaks down a Politico gerrymandering poll that ignores independent voters and shares how unlikely allies—from Democrats to MAGA Republicans—can find common ground on fixing the system, even in a hyper-polarized era. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com 00:00:00 - Welcome Back & IVP Updates 00:01:29 - Introducing Chris Gerlacher & Prediction Markets 00:03:34 - How Prediction Markets Outperform Polls 00:04:14 - California Governor Odds: Swalwell, Porter, Steyer 00:06:21 - How Political Trading Works 00:09:32 - Gambling Concerns, Safeguards & Forecasting Value 00:13:27 - When Candidates Bet on Themselves 00:19:19 - Independent Voter Growth & State Reform Movements 00:32:14 - Signature Gathering, Costs & Citizen Power 00:43:18 - Cross-Ideology Dialogue & Closing Reflections  

Is New York about to elect a “communist,” or just a democratic socialist with better ground game?  Cara McCormick and Chad Peace rip into a wild week in politics: the three-way brawl for NYC mayor, California’s ballot language that literally tells you it’ll cost “a few million dollars,” Maine’s voter ID wordplay, and the gerrymandering arms race both parties pretend they aren’t running.  Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Independent Voter Podcast 00:01:25 - Country Before Party 00:03:11 - The White House Ballroom Controversy 00:03:52 - Ballot Language and Political Manipulation 00:04:25 - Gerrymandering: A Nonpartisan Battle 00:08:10 - Fear, Authoritarianism, and Hyperbole 00:10:19 - What Democratic Socialism Really Means 00:11:55 - Why Ranked Choice and Open Primaries Matter 00:17:07 - Gerrymandering and the Fight for Fair Elections 00:18:16 - From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs

Missouri voters approved legal cannabis twice - first for medical use, then for recreational use in 2022. But as Dave Craig, VP of Marketing for legal cannabis brand From the Earth, explains to host Cara McCormick, an unregulated shadow market is undermining everything voters intended. While legal dispensaries test every product and have already paid $245 million in state taxes to benefit veterans and schools, gas stations and unlicensed dispensaries are selling untested, intoxicating hemp products, some found to be laced with dangerous chemicals. This episode unpacks the loopholes, the need to protect public health, and what happens when following voter-approved rules makes you uncompetitive in your own market. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com. Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Unfair Fight Begins 00:01:00 - How Missouri Became a Cannabis Success Story 00:04:10 - The Rise of Unregulated Gas Station Weed 00:06:00 - Farm Bill Loopholes and Dangerous Products 00:09:00 - What Legal Cannabis Testing Really Means 00:15:00 - An Unfair Playing Field for Legal Operators 00:20:00 - Federal Taxes and the Need for Rescheduling 00:23:00 - Lawmakers Struggle to Close the Loophole 00:30:00 - Can Missouri’s Legal Market Survive? 00:39:00 - Fairness, Safety, and What Comes Next  

Breakdown: The rules of American democracy continue to bend toward partisan agendas. In California, independent redistricting commissioner J. Ray Kennedy, a Democrat, says the politicians effectively “starved” its independent commission long before the midterm map fights began in Texas. Hosts Chad and Cara then discuss the Texas Republican Party’s lawsuit against the Lone Star State to try to end its century-old open primary system. While speaking about Attorney General Ken Paxton’s refusal to defend the state, they revisit Thurgood Marshall’s 1944 case that struck down Texas’s whites-only primaries. They also break down Fox News’ distorted reporting on cannabis, Trump’s hints from the White House that he may finally reschedule marijuana, and a debate that went viral on the Independent Voter Facebook page. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com. Chapters: 00:00:00 - A New Era of Independent Voter News 00:00:45 - The Redistricting Battle Royale 00:02:14 - J. Ray Kennedy Exposes California’s “Illusion” of Independence 00:06:10 - Gerrymandering Games Across the States 00:07:25 - Texas Republicans Move to Close Primaries 00:09:30 - Ken Paxton’s Legal Twist Against Open Elections 00:13:25 - Lessons from Thurgood Marshall and the White Primary Case 00:17:09 - The Fight for Independent Voter Rights Continues 00:25:14 - Fox News, Cannabis, and Media Propaganda 00:32:01 - Should Trump Win the Nobel Peace Prize?

Hosts Chad Peace and Cara McCormick use the viral Katie Porter clip as a case study in how election rules shape campaigns and coalitions in California. They unpack why the moment struck a nerve, then explain the incentives of the Top Two primary and what a Final Five model - with an open top-five primary and a ranked-choice general - could change, drawing lessons from Alaska. Along the way, they note recent shifts in the 2026 field and connect the conversation to a timely Supreme Court fight over counting properly postmarked mail ballots after Election Day - clear, voter-first context beyond the outrage cycle. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to the Independent Voter Podcast 00:01:37 – California Governor’s Race and Katie Porter Interview 00:05:18 – Expanding Top-Two to Top-Five Elections 00:09:26 – Party Division and Candidate Behavior 00:11:11 – National Guard, Governors, and Political Power Plays 00:12:33 – Origins of Ranked-Choice Voting Advocacy 00:18:17 – Supreme Court Cases and Independent Voter Rights 00:29:04 – California’s Prop 50 and the State of Democracy 00:33:26 – Closing Reflections and Call to Action  

If you are into independent politics and don’t know Eric Bronner, you should. A former veteran, Eric Bronner is one of the 60% of veterans that don’t belong to either major political party. Eric jumped into the nonpartisan reform movement 5 years ago after listening to a podcast on Freakonomics with Katherine Gehl. In just 5 years, the organization he formed, Veterans for All Voters, has grown to more than 7,000 members and been a part of some of the most impactful nonpartisan reform efforts in the country. Now, they’re launching an ambitious national project to engage voters across the country to revisit their oath to their county. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Opening the Conversation 00:01:06 - Eric Bronner’s Path from Navy to Reform 00:02:23 - Founding Veterans for All Voters 00:05:24 - Choosing Nonpartisan Values 00:06:10 - The Oath Challenge Campaign 00:08:36 - Education and Action in Reform 00:10:14 - Legal Challenges and Supreme Court News 00:13:34 - Building a Movement Beyond Partisanship 00:17:17 - Expanding in Communities & Veteran Engagement 00:19:19 - Oath, Unity, and Next Steps

The assassination of Charlie Kirk shocked the nation and exposed just how divided our political realities have become. In this episode, Chad Peace and Cara McCormick reflect on the tragedy, the need for unity, and what history teaches us about coming together after moments of crisis. They also delve into the chaotic New York City mayoral race to explain why New York needs ranked-choice voting in the general election, and how closed primaries continue to shut out millions of voters. From New York to California, the conversation highlights how both major parties manipulate election rules to preserve power while independent voters are left on the outside looking in. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com. Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Shock of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination 00:02:20 - Living in Different Realities 00:04:30 - Remembering 9/11 and the Lost Sense of Unity 00:05:55 - New York’s Mayoral Race and Ranked Choice Fallout 00:10:00 - Closed Primaries and Voter Exclusion 00:14:25 - California’s Nonpartisan Primary and Redistricting Battle 00:19:30 - Fear-Based Politics and the Stakes of Power 00:23:40 - Finding Common Ground and Healing the Divide

The national conversation focuses on the wars being waged by the Republicans and Democrats, against each other. But what about the rights of voters? In this episode of the Independent Voter Podcast, Chad and Cara talk about the Gerrymandering battle growing beyond Texas and California, a retired attorney who has taken a Florida voting rights case all the way to the Supreme Court, and how the war on the rights of independent voters could be hitting a critical moment in the arc of our democracy. Tune in! Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Independent Voter Podcast 00:01:00 - Gerrymandering battles across states 00:04:00 - Who really loses? Independent voters 00:06:00 - Supreme Court precedents on voting rights 00:07:00 - A retired attorney takes on closed primaries 00:09:00 - Collusion behind the veil of partisanship 00:11:00 - Reform ideas: open primaries and ranked choice 00:12:00 - Are independents anti-party? 00:13:00 - Power, democracy, and meaningful votes 00:15:00 - Losing forward and finding optimism

In this conversation, Chad and Cara delve into the complexities of gerrymandering, exploring its partisan nature and the implications for independent voters. They discuss the ongoing battle between Democrats and Republicans in states like California and Texas, the role of independent redistricting commissions, and the importance of public engagement in understanding these issues. The conversation highlights the legal dimensions of gerrymandering, particularly concerning the rights of independent voters. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com. Chapters: 00:00:01 - Welcome and introduction to gerrymandering 00:02:06 - Who gerrymanders more: Republicans or Democrats? 00:04:10 - Fighting fire with fire: partisan justifications 00:05:12 - The danger of overturning independent commissions 00:07:08 - Fear of authoritarianism and the 2026 election 00:09:28 - The race to the bottom and who benefits 00:10:22 - Why politicians always use the power they have 00:12:28 - Public engagement and awareness on gerrymandering 00:14:15 - California’s Prop 50 and the role of independent voters 00:19:03 - Is gerrymandering against independents’ constitutional rights?

Think hemp products are harmless just because they’re legal? Think again. In this episode of the How It Really Works series of the Independent Voter Podcast, guest host Tony Manolatos sits down with journalist Chris Casacchia to expose the hidden dangers of synthetic hemp flooding stores across America. Casacchia, an award-winning reporter covering the industry, explains how candy-like packaging, legal loopholes, and zero regulation are creating a public health crisis that’s sending kids to the ER. From the 2018 Farm Bill’s unintended consequences to the economic fallout for legitimate businesses, this conversation lifts the veil on a booming gray market few people even know exists. This episode is a must-listen for parents, policymakers, and anyone concerned about the next wave of America’s health crises — because what you don’t know can hurt you. Don’t forget to follow or subscribe at OlasMedia.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Some key moments of this episode: 00:00:00 - Welcome to How It Really Works 00:02:11 - Meet Chris Casacchia 00:04:17 - What Is Synthetic Hemp? 00:08:16 - The 2018 Farm Bill Loophole 00:12:14 - Hidden Dangers and No Regulations 00:17:35 - Kids, ER Visits, and Parental Warnings 00:22:36 - The Battle for Regulation 00:28:09 - Economic Impact on Legal Markets 00:32:26 - Can States Like Minnesota Lead the Way? 00:36:19 - A Call for Federal Action  

Think the justice system only affects the incarcerated? Think again. In this episode of the How It Really Works series of the Independent Voter Podcast, Chad Peace sits down with corrections expert Michael Cantrell to unpack the hidden mental health crisis facing correctional officers across the country. Cantrell, a former officer and host of the Prison Officer Podcast, reveals how burnout, PTSD, and emotional isolation have become normalized in a profession that rarely makes the headlines. From training culture to administrative neglect, this conversation peels back the layers on a system that’s breaking the very people we expect to hold it together. This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about justice reform—and it’s just one chapter in a much bigger story. Don’t forget to follow or subscribe at OlasMedia.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Some key moments of this episode: 00:00 – Welcome to How It Really Works 01:12 – The Forgotten Side of Justice Reform 03:40 – What Correctional Officers Are Really Trained For 08:25 – The Mental Health Toll of the Job 13:05 – Why Officers Don’t Ask for Help 18:44 – Breaking the Silence Around Trauma 24:31 – Culture Shift vs. Policy Change 30:12 – Wrapping Up: What Real Reform Requires

Think it’s easy to run for president as an Independent in the U.S.? Think again. In this episode of our new How It Really Works series, Chad Peace sits down with electoral reform powerhouse Cara McCormick to unpack why running outside the two-party system is so hard, it’s almost impossible. Cara breaks down seven hidden barriers independent candidates face—from brutal ballot access laws to being shut out of debates. You’ll also hear real clips from RFK Jr. and Ross Perot as we rewind the tape on what happened when outsiders actually tried to make a run for it. This episode is packed with wild (and sometimes infuriating) truths about the system—and it’s just the beginning. Don’t forget to follow or subscribe at OlasMedia.com or wherever you get your podcast Some key moments of this episode: 00:00 – Welcome to “How It Really Works” 02:28 – Why No One Runs as an Independent 03:11 – RFK Jr. and the Ballot Access Trap 04:27 – Americans Elect: A Case Study 09:01 – The Financial Toll on Independents 12:22 – No Infrastructure, No Chance 17:14 – The Spoiler Effect Is Real 24:26 – Debate Stage Lockout 35:58 – Electoral College Math Doesn’t Add Up 39:10 – Even Insiders Get Shut Out

This is the inaugural episode of the Independent Voter Podcast with Chad Peace and Cara McCormick. In this launch, they share the complexities of independent candidacies in U.S. presidential elections. Ever wondered why so few run as independents? Chad and Cara explore the formidable challenges, from ballot access hurdles to debate stage exclusions and fundraising disparities. They examine how the current electoral system favors major parties and discuss its implications for voter choice and democracy. Join them as they shed light on these critical issues and advocate for a more inclusive political landscape. Don’t forget to follow and subscribe at OlasMedia.com Key Moments from this episode: 00:00:01 - Introduction to the Independent Voter Podcast 00:01:56 - The Ethic Behind the Independent Voter Project 00:06:24 - Merging Efforts for Reform 00:10:06 - Collaboration for Reform 00:14:32 - Embracing Courage and Resilience 00:15:31 - Introduction to IVP's Next Phase 00:18:17 - The Difficulty of Running as an Independent 00:23:45 - The Two-Party System and Its Impact 00:27:21 - IVP's Ethical Standards 00:30:09 - Advancing Nonpartisan Reforms 00:30:51 - Overwhelming Support for Getting Rid of Super PACs 00:31:54 - Belief in the Dream of Reform 00:32:27 - Optimism for Democracy 00:33:36 - Encouraging Engagement and Unity 00:35:53 - Conclusion and Thanks    

The author of California’s Top Two Candidates Open Primary, which took effect in 2012, wants to reform his reform. Steve Peace, a founder of the Independent Voter Project, wants California to move to a system that would ask voters to rank 4 or 5 candidates instead of voting for just one. Alaska and Maine have adopted a similar Rank Choice Voting system. Peace looks through the national political lens and the local one too to discuss voter reform on this episode of Dear San Diego. Listeners also get to hear about his family life (he says he’s an Uber driver for his grandkids) and the advice he gives young people. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - Introduction to California's top two primary 00:01:29 - Inception of the top two primary 00:03:22 - How the top two primary works 00:08:24 - Flaws in the current political system 00:14:01 - Manipulation of the top two primary system 00:15:26 - The Power of Campaigns Driven by Turnout 00:17:27 - Political Maneuvering and Campaign Strategies 00:19:23 - The Influence of Committees and Political Alliances 00:22:29 - Advancing Electoral Reform: Ranked-Choice Voting 00:26:29 - The Need for Continuous Electoral Reform 00:31:02 - Ranked Choice Voting System 00:33:21 - Nonpartisan Top Four or Top Five System 00:35:17 - Reducing Campaign Costs 00:41:13 - Fixing Ranked Choice Voting 00:46:35 - Misjudging Willie Brown 00:48:27 - Steve Peace's Personal Life 00:53:30 - Motivations and Family 00:55:50 - Privacy Rights and Identity 01:00:17 - Childhood Influence 01:03:39 - Reflection on past behavior 01:05:13 - Advice for life 01:05:59 - Importance of facing adversity 01:07:02 - Perception of need and resilience 01:08:57 - Closing remarks

Binational entrepreneur, Juan Hernandez Sr., Former Senator Steve Peace, and Senator Brian Jones join guest host Assemblymember, David Alvarez on the Politic Deli podcast to discuss the importance of cross-border cooperation and collaboration between California and Mexico. In the bustling border region of San Diego-Tijuana, three extraordinary individuals stand as beacons of hope and progress. (Originally aired 15August23)

From the IVP Summit in Hawaii, retired corrections officer Stephen Walker talks to Andy Moore, Executive Director of NANR (National Association of Non-Partisan Reformers). Stephen serves as IVP Board Member and shares how his passion led him to the Independent Voter Project. Andy speaks to the value of convening, catalyzing and connecting, when challenging and changing policies and how primaries work. (Originally aired 04May23)