<div><p>Shawn is the Election Reform Editor for IVN.us. He studied history and philosophy at the University of North Texas, and joined the IVN team in 2012. He has several years of experie
California Secretary of State Alex Padilla released the latest voter registration numbers Tuesday. The report shows that the number of No Party Preference (independent) voters -- the second largest voting bloc in the state -- continues to climb, and has surpassed 5 million voters. No Party Preference voters now make
Next week, IVN will launch its California-focused election coverage. In preparation, we conducted a survey of California voters on key races and issues to give our writers and readers a baseline look at where things stand to go into the final month of the election season. Readers can also access
Are we looking at a blue wave? Or is it a red wave? Is the silent majority going to rise up and make their voices heard at the ballot box? These are among the questions that are being considered by most campaigns going into November. In California, Democrats in particular
The Public Policy Institute of California released its most recent survey on Californias and their government Thursday -- including public opinion on the upcoming elections. One of the most notable findings is that Democrat Gavin Newsom's lead over Republican John Cox has been cut in half. PPIC reports
Election competition is taking on a whole new meaning in California. Elections in several races are no longer decided by just members of the dominant political party, but a much broader segment of the electorate.Take Senate District 22 (Industry, West Covina), where two candidates from the Democratic Party advanced
AUBURN, MAINE - The Hayes for Maine campaign announced Tuesday that independent state treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Terry Hayes has surpassed 6,800 donors, and has gained new endorsements in the 4-way race for Maine governor. Hayes is the only candidate in the race running a clean elections campaign. Instead
There are many who would argue that the political and media circus around the Kavanaugh controversy has gotten out of hand. It is not about the facts. It is not even about respect for the claims of his accusers or his repeated denials. It is about the spectacle. Despite everything
Jefferson City, Missouri - A federal appeals court ruled Friday that a proposed anti-corruption, anti-gerrymandering ballot initiative -- Amendment 1 -- is good to go for the November ballot after a lower court removed it. The decision comes days before the November ballot needed to be finalized to be sent
How long does it take to travel through a legislative district in Michigan? Well, if you are in Grand Rapids, you can jog through three on a single street: https://twitter.com/nowthisnews/status/1042504349920972800 One street. About 8 houses. 3 districts. "These people's kids go on
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the closure -- at least temporarily -- of a loophole that allows certain nonprofit political groups who spend on political ads to not disclose their donor lists (commonly referred to as "dark money"). The loophole was established nearly 40 years ago by
The Senate nearly unanimously approved a bill Monday that would prohibit "gag order" clauses that prevent pharmacies from telling customers about cheaper drug options. The bill -- the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act -- passed 98-2. The issue has broad support across the political spectrum --
Update 9/17/18: State Senator Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph), former State Senator Jim Lembke (R-Lemay) and former State Senator Bob Johnson (R-Lee's Summit) joined Common Cause in filing an amicus brief Saturday, calling on the courts to let the voters decide on the initiative: "The will