Pt. 2) Unifying Independents: The Bridging Movement
In the opening essay, I spoke about encountering a burgeoning movement encompassing independent media outlets, election reform advocates, third-party entities, and democratic advocacy groups, which in some circles have become known as the “bridging movement”. At its core, the bridging movement is a connection of people and organizations that are focused on reducing the toxic divide that has become todays politics by addressing issues like: election reform, civility in conversation, and ballot access. For those familiar with or connected too these organizations I hope this is a fair representation of the current movement.
The financial resources dedicated to the bridging movement are focused on building a new path to electing our representation rather than focusing on challenging the two party system directly. The method of “build it and they will come” I think echos in the minds of these knowledgable and dedicated individuals because a direct challenge to the two party system has yet to work. Candidates such as Gary Johnson and Jill Stein had a notable presence with the Libertarian and Green Parties. But even the most successful third party candidate in recent history, Ross Perot in 1992, received only ~19% of the popular vote but earned 0 electoral college votes.
Looking at historical attempts by individuals running under an “independent” ticket, it makes sense as to why the bridging movement is focused on changing “how” we elect candidates rather than “who” we elect. This marks a crucial initial stride toward the eventual evolution of an independent party, given that the existing voting laws are predominantly shaped and safeguarded by the two dominant political parties: the DNC and RNC. Registering as an Independent in most states often seems more symbolic than substantive, as participation in primary elections typically necessitates selecting a specific party's ballot. Moreover, come the general election, individuals are compelled to align with a party. Thus, the question arises: where does true independence lie in this framework?
Organizations such as Rank the Vote, Independent Voter Project, Represent Us, and numerous others are fervently campaigning and educating individuals about a transformative voting method known as Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), also referred to as Instant Runoff Voting. The primary objective of RCV is to provide voting citizens with the freedom to support a candidate that aligns most with their values and ideals for representation, without the fear of wasting their vote or inadvertently influencing the outcome in favor of their least preferred candidate.
Another critical election reform endeavor gaining traction is Open Primaries. With approximately 30% of registered voters identifying as unaffiliated or members of a third party, they find themselves disenfranchised from participating in primary elections that shape the pool of candidates for the general election. This translates to approximately 27 million voters who are rendered ineligible to participate in primaries due to the current election system.
“Open primaries will lead to more bipartisanship as the legislators will have to consider/respond to all their constituents instead of only those who can get them through the primary”
However, to enact meaningful change, we must engage in unifying conversations and cultivate a collective desire to challenge the status quo. Organizations such as the Civic Health Project, Resetting the Table, and Interfaith America represent just a few among the diverse array of groups dedicated to fostering constructive dialogues about politics. The Listen First Project, for instance, has spearheaded a coalition of over 500 organizations committed to addressing this issue. Embracing diverse perspectives is intrinsic to the democratic process, and voting for a particular candidate should not result in vilifying those with differing views.
By engaging in unifying conversations and supporting organizations dedicated to bridging divides, we can work towards a future where diversity of thought is celebrated and the American political system truly reflects the will of the people. In the upcoming essays, we'll delve deeper into the ramifications of the red vs. blue mentality and explore avenues for transcending partisan divides in pursuit of a more united and prosperous nation.
