Nonpartisan elections measure, a means to transfer power from the parties to the people, is placed on the ballot in New York City by Mayor Bloomberg’s Charter Revision Commission.  Initiative draws fierce opposition from the parties, the media and the political establishment.  Similar efforts follow in California, Oregon and Arizona.   CUIP initiates Choosing an Independent President (ChIP) process.  Howard Dean, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Al Sharpton, and Ralph Nader participate, leading to a partnership with Ralph Nader in 2004.  Four years later, the ChIP process yields support for Barack Obama. Independents deliver Obama’s margin of victory over Hillary Clinton.  CUIP supporters and affiliate groups hold debate watch parties.