Updates

It is not simply a matter of big money in politics. There is big money in all of American life. The more pervasive problem is that we now have self-interested political institutions — the parties — that are considered “too big to fail.” Are we supposed to protect them and their refusal to share power with the people at all costs?

Democrats’ reforms don’t go far enough for African Americans – Dr. Jessie Fields
June 23, 2023

H.R. 1 is incomplete because it fails to recognize important changes within the broader electorate and ignores structural changes such as open primaries that would empower millions of African-Americans, and many millions more Americans, to fully participate.

READ MORE
The democracy reform and Black political agendas must become aligned – Dr. Jessie Fields, Darryl Gray
June 23, 2023

While Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden is, of course, the main event in American democracy this week, there are new conversations taking place in Black politics looking beyond this year toward important changes in the relationship between Black empowerment, electoral reform and the Democratic Party.

READ MORE
How Open Primaries Empower Communities of Color – Dr. Jessie Fields
June 23, 2023

Amendment 3, which is on the Florida ballot this November, will establish an open, primary for state offices, ending the exclusion of 3.5 million independent voters — including hundreds of thousands of people of color — from voting in primaries. This system is not new. It is currently used throughout Florida for municipal and many county elections.

READ MORE
Half the people reading this likely identify as independent voters
May 30, 2023

In a monthly survey, Gallup asks voters whether they consider themselves a Republican, a Democrat or an independent? Their March 2023 survey revealed 49% consider themselves independent. Read this Commentary in The Orlando Sentinel by Florida Fair and Open Primaries Director Steve Hough

READ MORE