Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Independent Veterans of America and now the face of a growing independent-veteran movement, just became the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against New York State's closed primary system, and he's joined by his attorney (and IVP host) Chad Peace to explain why.

Rieckhoff tells the personal story that pushed him into this fight: walking his kids to their New York City public school on primary day and having to explain to his seven-year-old why dad, a combat veteran and 9/11 first responder, isn't allowed to vote. Chad, Cara McCormick, and Shawn Griffiths connect that story to the bigger picture, including how Zohran Mamdani's administration and the Democratic Socialists of America have blocked open primary reform through New York's Charter Revision Commission, and how Texas Republicans are now trying to close their own primaries for the opposite partisan reason. 

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Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at:

https://ivn.us

https://independentvoterproject.org

Follow and subscribe on audio platforms:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1VnqtqjZh9EbmDtVxvHF3R

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To sign on to the New York lawsuit, go to https://letvetsvote.org You can learn more about his organization, Independent Veterans of America, at https://independentveteransofamerica.org and find his own show, Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff, at https://www.IndependentAmericans.us.

Chapters:

0:00 The Veteran Who Can't Vote – Suing New York

2:25 From the GI Bill to Independent Veterans of America

4:47 45% and Growing – Why Independents Won't Build a Party

7:12 In New York, the Primary Is the Whole Ballgame

9:17 "Dad, How Come You Can't Vote?" – New York as the Beachhead

11:29 What You Can Actually Do – LetVetsVote

13:42 The Real Spoilers – How the DSA Slammed the Door

16:04 The Parties Did This to Themselves – The Charter Revision Fight

18:18 Shame Them Into Action – The Full Spectrum Fight

21:09 Demographics Is Destiny – The Future Is Independent