Dear Let Us Vote members,
I want to fill you in on two initiatives underway to make sure independent voters receive the respect, recognition and reforms we deserve.
But first – Gallup just released their latest data on the number of independents in the country.
We are 43% of the electorate!
Think about that number for a moment! Democrats are 27% and Republicans are 28%.
I feel a sense of urgency in our work as we watch the parties weaponize the drawing of district lines, the increased partisanship, and lack of accountability.
Our democracy needs to grow and innovate, not stagnate and divide us. I believe independent voters are the key.
If you do too – please shoot me a note at cstewart@openprimaries.org to find out how you can volunteer today!
Cathy
Let Us Vote Project Manager
Maryland Independents in the courts and in the papers – fighting for Voting Rights
Earlier this year, the Open Primaries Education Fund, in partnership with Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC, one of Maryland’s leading law firms, filed a lawsuit in Maryland on behalf of five independent voters across the state against the Maryland State Board of Elections, challenging the State’s closed primary elections as unconstitutional.
21.6% of Marylanders have chosen not to affiliate with the Democrats or Republicans. The number of independents in Maryland has grown by 15% over the last four years.
The case is making waves, not only Maryland but the rest of the country with over a dozen publications carrying the story, including features in the Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun. The Complaint, filed in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, alleges that the MDSBE is denying Maryland citizens their fundamental right to vote, and seeks to stop the State from funding “closed” primary elections in violation of the Maryland Constitution.
While the case is winding its way through the courts – litigation is a slow process – Let Us Vote in conjunction with Independent Voters of Maryland, has launched an effort to build public awareness of who independent voters are in the state and the impact of closed primaries.
Our Independents Speak Out Series is making Maryland’s independent voters more visible, and supporting the five plaintiffs who are on the front lines of the case.
Meet some of our participants:
Another critical component of the effort is our statewide Letter to the Editor Campaign where independents are sending letters and opeds into their local papers to build public awareness of the lack of voting rights for independent Marylanders. Peter Tallie had his letter – Maryland needs open primaries now – published on August 30th, in the Star Democrat.
Florida Democratic Party Considers Open Primaries
Earlier this year, Nikki Fried, the chair of the Florida Democratic Party said that the party was considering whether to open their primaries to independent voters, the 3.4 million Floridians who have no party affiliation.
There have been a dozen articles, interviews and videos about this issue, but no one has bothered to ask Florida’s independent voters what they think about this.
Well, we’re asking! Let Us Vote, Open Primaries and Florida Open Primaries are conducting a Florida-wide poll to better understand how independent and independent minded Floridians think about primary reform for Florida. The poll takes less than a minute of time to complete!
We want to poll 1000 people and we are over half way there. If you live in Florida and have not taken the poll yet, you can take the poll here. If you have friends and family in Florida, please invite them to take the poll as well.
We want to hear from you! Take our Independents Speak Out Survey and help us flood social media with the stories of independent voters. Let’s tell them who we are!
