76%

The percentage of Americans said elected officials are more interested in appearing to address AI than actually addressing it. Only 24% said officials are making a serious effort.

The two-party grip is loosening in several state races. Here are the stories this week featuring independent candidates making real moves on the ballot.

1 - It's time for a change

Belgrade News · October 1, 2026 

Bozeman reader Sue Beland argues that Daines and Sheehy have failed Montanans on healthcare, Medicare, and childcare — and that Daines's "hand-picked successor" Kurt Alme won't be any different. Her pitch for Seth Bodnar: his views align with Democrats on the issues that matter, but running as an independent means he won't be "captive" to either party.

2 - Opinion: It is high time to turn the page on hyper-partisan politics in Idaho

Post Register · September 28, 2026 

Former Idaho AG and Supreme Court justice Jim Jones — who co-founded Veterans for Idaho Voters with Achilles — endorses his old partner for Senate, calling 83-year-old Risch a "worn-out husk" who's "run out of gas" and meekly rubber-stamps Trump's unconstitutional overreach (the Iran war included). His case for Achilles: a fellow veteran who understands new threats like surveillance pricing and AI, has the courage Risch lacks, and would be "a remarkable U.S. senator."

3 - Rocklin Congressman aims to chart an ‘independent’ course if reelected in District 6

CapRadio · September 25, 2026 

In a CapRadio interview, Kiley defends his switch to No Party Preference as principled, not strategic — he says he could've run in a safe gerrymandered district but chose his hometown instead. He touts breaking from his own party on tariffs, Iran war funding, and ICE funding, while defending his H.R. 1 vote by noting he helped block Medicaid cuts from the bill. His closing argument against opponent Richard Pan: Pan won't debate, and Pan's Social Security tax proposal would cost seniors up to $2,600.

4 - Poll says Kiley, Pan virtually tied in Sacramento-area 6th District House race

The Sacramento Bee · September 29, 2026 

A new poll has Kiley and Pan dead even at 37% each in CA-6, with 26% undecided — a tight race experts had pegged as Pan's to lose given the district's new Democratic lean. Kiley's camp used the numbers to needle Pan for dodging debates (Kiley's challenged him to five); Pan's campaign didn't respond, instead continuing to hammer Kiley over his GOP past and 2022 Trump endorsement.

Voting Reform & Independent Voters

1 – Manchin calls for change in elections: ‘There’s no competition’

The Hill · August 18, 2026 

Manchin's blunt case for open primaries: of 435 House seats, 395 are "predetermined" before a vote is even cast — 2024's election coverage only ever talked about seven battleground states. His fix: open primaries with a top four-or-five advancing, decided by majority (50%+1) rather than plurality, in the general. He frames it as the same fix for both parties' extremes — pointing to Mamdani-backed candidates winning NYC's closed Democratic primary as proof closed systems let the most organized faction "hijack" the outcome.

2 – MY TURN: Alaska’s election system isn’t the problem — big money is

Juneau Empire · September 26, 2026 

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho defends Alaska's system after Tom Begich's gubernatorial withdrawal: the real culprit, he argues, was campaign financing, not ranked-choice voting — Begich himself cited limited donor dollars. Botelho's case: when a candidate drops out, the next-highest primary finisher automatically advances and voters still rank who's left — no party insiders deciding behind closed doors. His ask ahead of November's Ballot Measure 2: fix campaign finance, don't repeal voter choice.

3 – Closed primaries are a curse on our democracy

Grand Forks Herald · September 29, 2026 

Syndicated columnist Froma Harrop argues closed primaries let "organized ideologues" pick nominees in low-turnout races while locking out most voters — in much of the country, outside the presidential race, "it's a one-party country." Open Primaries' Jeremy Gruber makes the case it cuts across race and party (strong support in Asian communities too), and a group called UniteNY found two-thirds of New Yorkers back opening primaries. Her core question, echoing Gruber: why should people join a party they don't believe in just to vote?

Want to stay in the loop? Enter your email to join the ILC newsletter → Click Here!

We represent those who are fed up with partisan politics and feel politically homeless. We believe the future is not red or blue; it’s fiscally responsible, socially inclusive, and free to choose the best options for ourselves, our families, and our communities.