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

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.