The Case for Primary Reform w/ Rich Barton

In this conversation, Rich Barton, a fellow with Unite America, discusses the evolution and impact of primary elections on political polarization and governance. He explores how the Citizens United ruling has influenced campaign finance, the decline of party establishments, and the fear lawmakers have of being primaried. Barton advocates for open primaries as a solution to the current issues within the electoral system, highlighting evidence from states that have implemented reforms such as Alaska and California. He expresses hope for future reforms and the potential for a more representative political landscape.

 

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Read 'The Primary Solution'

Read more from Rich:

• "The Influence of Special Interests in Primary Elections"
• California’s Top-Two Primary: The Effects on Electoral Politics and Governance
• Louisiana's Long-Term Election Experiment: How Eliminating Partisan Primaries Improved Governance and Reduced Polarization