Open Primaries President John Opdycke hosts a monthly virtual discussion series to facilitate dialogue and debate within the growing independent and political reform arenas. Open Primaries is a leading national organization advocating for the full voting rights of every American, including the 49% who identify as political independents.  

Every month, 500-1200 people participate via Zoom or Facebook Live in a vibrant interview with Q and A open to all participants. 

Notable Past guests include: Psychologist Jonathan Haidt, Civil Rights leader and No Labels Co-Chair Dr. Ben Chavis, Forward Party Founder Andrew Yang, Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Former La Raza Board Chair Danny Ortega and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.

NEXT DISCUSSION:

California’s Top Two Primary-A Successful Reform

September 21st at 2pm ET

Featuring Dr. Richard Barton, Unite America Institute

Hosted by John Opdycke (President of Open Primaries) & Christian Grose (Professor & Academic Director of USC Schwarzenegger Institute)

A new report from the Unite America Institute on top-two nonpartisan primaries in California finds that the reform (enacted in 2010) has had widespread positive impacts on electoral politics and governance. 

While the vast majority of states across the country have experienced a decline in electoral competition and a rise in polarization in recent years, California has trended in a different direction since reforming its primaries. Analyzing the state across several criteria, the report presents evidence that the Top Two system in California has decreased polarization, improved voter participation, and increased electoral competition.

On Thursday September 21st at 2pm ET, Open Primaries will welcome the author of this groundbreaking new report–Dr. Richard Barton, to be the featured guest on our next Virtual Discussion: California’s Top Two Primary-A Successful Reform.

As always, we encourage you to bring your questions for our Q & A! 

Register today! 

BIO: 

Dr. Barton is a Democracy Fellow at Unite America and a professor at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and he has a PhD in Government from Cornell University. His research examines how electoral and legislative institutions shape lawmaking in Congress and the American Political Economy.