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

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 <a href="https://independentvoterproject.org">Independent Voter Project</a> and produced by <a href="http://olasmedia.com">Olas Media</a>.&nbsp;
Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at:<a href="https://ivn.us"> https://ivn.us</a><a href="https://independentvoterproject.org">&nbsp; and https://independentvoterproject.org</a>&nbsp;
Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Cold Open: Ballots, Broken Government &amp; Big Claims
00:01:10 - Sheriff Seizes 650,000 Ballots in California
00:04:44 - FBI, Maricopa &amp; 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 &amp; 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

Tired of being told what to think by partisan gatekeepers? So are we.
The Independent Voter Podcast brings you conversations that challenge the two-party echo chamber and reject the false binaries dominating today’s political narratives. We focus on two things:
 (1) Election reforms that increase real competition and voter choice, and
 (2) Policy issues that defy the black-and-white frameworks set by national party agendas.

We’ve been called everything: liberals, undercover Republicans, progressives, socialists, libertarians—even anarchists. And depending on the article, they’re all true.
We are open to any voice that follows our simple etiquette. If you believe political independence is a mindset, not a middle ground, you’re in the right place.
This the Independent Voter Podcast..

Tired of being told what to think by partisan gatekeepers? So are we. The Independent Voter Podcast brings you conversations that challenge the two-party echo chamber and reject the false binaries dominating today&rsquo;s political narratives. We focus on two things: &nbsp;(1)&nbsp;Election reforms that increase real competition and voter choice, and &nbsp;(2)&nbsp;Policy issues that defy the black-and-white frameworks set by national party agendas.
We&rsquo;ve been called everything: liberals, undercover Republicans, progressives, socialists, libertarians&mdash;even anarchists. And depending on the article, they&rsquo;re all true. We are open to any voice that follows our simple etiquette. If you believe political independence is a mindset, not a middle ground, you&rsquo;re in the right place. This the Independent Voter Podcast..

Independent Voter Podcast

Tired of being told what to think by partisan gatekeepers? So are we.
The Independent Voter Podcast brings you conversations that challenge the two-party echo chamber and reject the false binaries dominating today’s political narratives. We focus on two things:
 (1) Election reforms that increase real competition and voter choice, and
 (2) Policy issues that defy the black-and-white frameworks set by national party agendas.

We’ve been called everything: liberals, undercover Republicans, progressives, socialists, libertarians—even anarchists. And depending on the article, they’re all true.
We are open to any voice that follows our simple etiquette. If you believe political independence is a mindset, not a middle ground, you’re in the right place.
This the Independent Voter Podcast.

Tired of being told what to think by partisan gatekeepers? So are we. The Independent Voter Podcast brings you conversations that challenge the two-party echo chamber and reject the false binaries dominating today&rsquo;s political narratives. We focus on two things: &nbsp;(1)&nbsp;Election reforms that increase real competition and voter choice, and &nbsp;(2)&nbsp;Policy issues that defy the black-and-white frameworks set by national party agendas.
We&rsquo;ve been called everything: liberals, undercover Republicans, progressives, socialists, libertarians&mdash;even anarchists. And depending on the article, they&rsquo;re all true. We are open to any voice that follows our simple etiquette. If you believe political independence is a mindset, not a middle ground, you&rsquo;re in the right place. This the Independent Voter Podcast.

Sheriff Seizes 650,000 Ballots - While Running for California Governor!?

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

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 <a href="https://independentvoterproject.org">Independent Voter Project</a> and produced by <a href="http://olasmedia.com">Olas Media</a>.&nbsp;
Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at:<a href="https://ivn.us"> https://ivn.us</a><a href="https://independentvoterproject.org">&nbsp; and https://independentvoterproject.org</a>&nbsp;
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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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 &amp; The Republican Slot
00:33:13 - Election Reform Round-Up: Arizona, Buffalo &amp; Page Against the Machine
00:38:07 - Tabloid Politics, Clickbait Culture &amp; Who We Are

Trump is Building a FEDERAL Voter List: Should YOU Be Scared?

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

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 <a href="https://independentvoterproject.org">Independent Voter Project</a> and produced by <a href="http://olasmedia.com">Olas Media</a>.&nbsp;
Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at:<a href="https://ivn.us"> https://ivn.us</a><a href="https://independentvoterproject.org">&nbsp; and https://independentvoterproject.org</a>&nbsp;
Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Chapters:
00:00:00 &ndash; Government Shutdown Hits TSA and Travelers
00:02:45 &ndash; Who&rsquo;s to Blame? Breaking Down the DHS Funding Fight
00:07:09 &ndash; The Bigger Problem: Political Dysfunction by Design
00:10:07 &ndash; Closed Primaries and Why Most Voters Don&rsquo;t Matter
00:13:08 &ndash; 23% Wins: How Broken Elections Undermine Representation
00:15:03 &ndash; The Spoiler Effect Explained (and Weaponized)
00:18:13 &ndash; California Governor Race and the Illusion of Choice
00:23:40 &ndash; Name ID, Media Power, and How Candidates Are Chosen
00:25:08 &ndash; Super PAC Money and the Real Influence Behind Elections
00:33:30 &ndash; Media Narratives and Why Independents Get Ignored

Your 5-Hour Airport Wait is Congress’s Fault: THIS is How We Fix It

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

Most Americans support voter ID, so why is this fight so explosive? It&rsquo;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 <a href="https://independentvoterproject.org">Independent Voter Project</a> and produced by <a href="http://olasmedia.com">Olas Media</a>.&nbsp;
Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at:<a href="https://ivn.us"> https://ivn.us</a><a href="https://independentvoterproject.org">&nbsp; and https://independentvoterproject.org</a>&nbsp;
Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Chapters: 00:00:00 &ndash; The Politics of Voter ID and Election Integrity 00:01:12 &ndash; Inside Today&rsquo;s Episode: Wealth Tax, Voting Laws, and Reform Updates 00:02:19 &ndash; California&rsquo;s Billionaire Wealth Tax Explained 00:06:11 &ndash; California&rsquo;s Budget, Spending Questions, and Tax Policy Debate 00:08:31 &ndash; Why Wealth Taxes Failed in Europe 00:13:02 &ndash; The Voter ID Debate: Federal SAFE Act vs California Proposal 00:18:41 &ndash; Could Strict Voter ID Requirements Become a Poll Tax? 00:33:38 &ndash; Independent Candidates and California&rsquo;s Nonpartisan Primary System 00:38:10 &ndash; Ranked Choice Voting Momentum in Wisconsin and DC 00:41:42 &ndash; Oklahoma Reform Effort Blocked by Petition Signature Rules

Sheriff Seizes 650,000 Ballots - While Running for California Governor!?

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