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Policy

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Policy

Independent Voter Podcast

Tired of being told what to think by partisan gatekeepers? So are we. The Independent Voter Podcast brings you conversations that challenge the two-party echo chamber and reject the false binaries dominating today’s political narratives. We focus on two things: (1) Election reforms that increase real competition and voter choice, and (2) Policy issues that defy the black-and-white frameworks set by national party agendas. We’ve been called everything: liberals, undercover Republicans, progressives, socialists, libertarians—even anarchists. And depending on the article, they’re all true. We are open to any voice that follows our simple etiquette. If you believe political independence is a mindset, not a middle ground, you’re in the right place. This the Independent Voter Podcast.

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RECENT EPISODES

Your Right to Vote: Is It Really Meaningful?
September 10, 2025

Your Right to Vote: Is It Really Meaningful?

Chad Peace and Cara McCormick discuss gerrymandering, closed primaries, and how partisan battles undermine the individual right to vote. They tackle one of the most fundamental questions of American democracy: does your right to vote really count? From gerrymandering battles in Texas, California, and Missouri to lawsuits over closed primaries, the conversation reveals how partisan maneuvering leaves independents and everyday voters sidelined.

Gerrymandering: Who Loses the Most Seats in the Race to the Bottom?
August 27, 2025

Gerrymandering: Who Loses the Most Seats in the Race to the Bottom?

Chad Peace and Cara McCormick unpack the partisan fight over gerrymandering, what it means for independent voters, and why the battle may be a race to the bottom.

Intoxicating Hemp: Inside the 2025 Crisis Sending Kids to the ER
July 22, 2025

Intoxicating Hemp: Inside the 2025 Crisis Sending Kids to the ER

Synthetic hemp products are flooding the market, luring kids with candy-like packaging — and landing some in hospitals. Guest host Tony Manolatos talks with journalist Chris Casacchia about how this emerging crisis slipped through legal cracks, and why parents and policymakers urgently need to pay attention.

 Behind the Bars, Beyond the Badge: The Hidden Struggles of Correctional Officers
June 4, 2025

Behind the Bars, Beyond the Badge: The Hidden Struggles of Correctional Officers

In this episode from the How It Really Works series, the Independent Voter Podcast explores the often-overlooked mental health toll on correctional officers. Guest Michael Cantrell shares firsthand insight into the emotional cost of working behind bars.

So You Want to Run for President as an Independent? Good Luck.
April 28, 2025

So You Want to Run for President as an Independent? Good Luck.

Why don’t more independents run for president? To kickoff to our new series, Chad Peace and Cara McCormick break down the real reasons—from brutal ballot access laws to a billion dollar political industry. Featuring clips from RFK Jr. and Ross Perot.

A New Era for Independent Voters
April 28, 2025

A New Era for Independent Voters

Welcome to the debut episode of the new Independent Voter Podcast, where Chad Peace and Cara McCormick tackle the intricate world of independent candidacies in U.S. presidential elections. Chad, a passionate advocate for electoral reform and long-time advisor to the Independent Voter Project (IVP), teams up with Cara, trailblazer who has passed elections reforms across the country.

Steve Peace on San Diego Politics and Reforming his own California Voting Reform (Simulcast Episode)
February 14, 2024

Steve Peace on San Diego Politics and Reforming his own California Voting Reform (Simulcast Episode)

You won’t find too many political people as smart as Steve Peace, but what really makes him interesting is his life as a grandfather (an Uber driver to his grandchildren is how he describes it), husband, and father. A former California legislator, Peace blazed a trail from San Diego to Sacramento that may never be surpassed. He also found success in the movie making business. He wrote and produced Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, a parody cult classic.

A.I. and Data: How They Will Shape the 2024 Election
January 18, 2024

A.I. and Data: How They Will Shape the 2024 Election

Bid farewell to outdated voter engagement strategies and welcome the future of A.I. and sophisticated data analytics, shaping the 2024 election landscape. Join host Dan Howle on the Politic Deli podcast as industry experts like Paul Westcott and Chad Peace share their insights.

Make it with Mexico: The Importance of Cross-Border Understanding in the San Diego Region
August 15, 2023

Make it with Mexico: The Importance of Cross-Border Understanding in the San Diego Region

Binational entrepreneur, Juan Hernandez Sr., Former Senator, Steve Peace, and Senator Brian Jones join host Assemblymember, David Alvarez on the Politic Deli podcast to discuss the importance of cross-border cooperation and collaboration between California and Mexico.

Live From The IVP Summit, Andy Moore and Stephen Walker Talk About The Elements of Reform.
May 4, 2023

Live From The IVP Summit, Andy Moore and Stephen Walker Talk About The Elements of Reform.

Diane Castaneda

From the IVP Summit in Hawaii, retired corrections officer Stephen Walker talks to Andy Moore, Executive Director of NANR (National Association of Non-Partisan Reformers). Stephen serves as IVP Board Member and shares how his passion led him to the Independent Voter Project. Andy speaks to the value of convening, catalyzing and connecting, when challenging and changing policies and how primaries work.

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