Independent Voter Project

The Independent Voter Project (IVP) was established in 2006 with a clear mission: to ensure that elections serve voters, regardless of whether voters choose to join a political party or not.  

Our founders, comprising former elected officials and public policy professionals who witnesses the increasing level of partisanship in California and its detrimental effect on the quality of governance and policy.  

IVP was created to support electoral reforms that re-align the incentive structure so that representatives, of any party, can effectively represent a broader majority of voters, rather than just their partisan base.

Our mission is to re-engage nonpartisan voters and promote nonpartisan election reform through initiatives, litigation, and voter education. We define success through:

1. Policy Achievements: Notably, our role in authoring and passing California's Proposition 14 in 2010, which established the nonpartisan top-two primary system in the state. A nonpartisan primary allows all voters, regardless of party affiliation, to vote for any candidate in primary elections, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election. ​
   

2. Legal Advocacy: For hundreds of years, political parties have asserted their rights in the court room. Our legal strategy, most simply, is to represent the individual voter with the long-term goal of getting the courts to assert that the right to vote in any public election cannot be conditioned on a voter joining a private political party.
   

3. Voter Education: Producing and providing news and information that challenge the traditional partisan political narratives so that independent-minded voters can better participate in the political process.

A landmark achievement for IVP was the successful drafting and passage of Proposition 14 in California. This initiative, passed by voters in 2010, transformed California's primary elections by implementing a nonpartisan top-two system. Under this system, all candidates are listed on a single primary ballot, and all voters can participate, regardless of party affiliation. The top two candidates, irrespective of their party, advance to the general election. This reform has significantly increased electoral competition and voter participation in California.

The current political climate presents several opportunities:​

• Expanding Nonpartisan Primaries: Building on the success of California's top-two system to advocate for similar reforms in other states, thereby increasing voter choice and competition.

• Cross-Border Collaboration: Initiatives like our "Make It With Mexico" conference foster dialogue between U.S. and Mexican leaders, promoting policies that benefit both nations and exemplifying the potential of nonpartisan cooperation.

• Legal Advocacy: Continuing to challenge laws and practices such as closed primaries that disenfranchise independent voters, ensuring that all citizens have equal access to the electoral process.

The Independent Center amplifies diverse, nonpartisan perspectives, aligning with IVP's mission to prioritize voters over party interests. Their efforts in fostering civil discourse and presenting balanced viewpoints complement our initiatives by creating an informed electorate that values thoughtful discussion over partisan rhetoric.​

We anticipate the independent movement will evolve as reforms gain momentum. Success will not happen overnight, but rather, slowly overtime. Some catalysts for growth include:

• Wider adoption of Open and/or Nonpartisan Primaries: More states may implement systems similar to California's top-two primary, enhancing voter choice and electoral competitiveness, including within the two major political parties. ​
  

• Legal Victories: Successful challenges to restrictive voting laws could set precedents that expand independent voter rights nationwide.
  

• Cultural Shifts: A growing recognition that being independent is a mindset—valuing critical thinking and open dialogue—may lead to a political landscape less dominated by partisan divides.​

We welcome engagement from all who are passionate about electoral reform and voter empowerment. Visit our website at independentvoterproject.org to learn more about our initiatives, access educational resources, and find opportunities to contribute.  

For the latest news and discussions, explore IVN.us, our open platform for independent-minded journalism.  

To contact us directly, send an email to contact@independentvoterproject.org.