Independent Voter Podcast

Olas Media
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  • POLITICS
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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..

  1. The Federal Voter ID Bill Is Designed to Fail. Here's Why

    1D AGO

    The Federal Voter ID Bill Is Designed to Fail. Here's Why

    Most Americans support voter ID, so why is this fight so explosive? It’s simple: the two-party system keeps turning a broadly popular reform into a partisan weapon. Instead of solving the issue, both sides use it to energize their base and deepen distrust. We unpack the SAVE America Act, the cost and paperwork of proving citizenship, and the independent case for balancing election security with equal access to the ballot. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters:00:00:00 – The Politics of Voter ID and Election Integrity00:01:12 – Inside Today’s Episode: Wealth Tax, Voting Laws, and Reform Updates00:02:19 – California’s Billionaire Wealth Tax Explained00:06:11 – California’s Budget, Spending Questions, and Tax Policy Debate00:08:31 – Why Wealth Taxes Failed in Europe00:13:02 – The Voter ID Debate: Federal SAFE Act vs California Proposal00:18:41 – Could Strict Voter ID Requirements Become a Poll Tax?00:33:38 – Independent Candidates and California’s Nonpartisan Primary System00:38:10 – Ranked Choice Voting Momentum in Wisconsin and DC00:41:42 – Oklahoma Reform Effort Blocked by Petition Signature Rules See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min
  2. Is American Democracy for Sale? The Fight to End Citizens United with Tiffany Muller

    3D AGO

    Is American Democracy for Sale? The Fight to End Citizens United with Tiffany Muller

    Money in politics isn't just a talking point - it's reshaping every policy outcome in Washington. This week, Chad and Cara sit down with Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United, a 4-million-member organization fighting to get dark money out of our elections and power back to the people. They dig into the real mechanics: the stock trading ban, discharge petitions, transparency legislation, and why Congress spends 30 hours a week fundraising instead of governing. Plus - Cara's big Maine win and what it means for the broader movement. If you're skeptical that anything can actually change, this episode is for you. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction & The Case Against Citizens United 00:01:33 - Meet Tiffany Muller: From Social Worker to Democracy Activist 00:04:23 - How Do We Actually Fix This? The Mechanics of Reform 00:06:12 - The Maine Win & Nonpartisan Support for Reform 00:07:32 - Constitutional Amendments, Supreme Court & Super PACs 00:09:49 - The Stock Trading Ban & Congressional Gridlock 00:12:53 - Transparency, Dark Money & How Big Money Adapts 00:15:53 - The People vs. The Money: Can Reform Actually Win? 00:18:41 - Congress Spends 30 Hours a Week Fundraising 00:23:40 - How to Get Involved & Final Thoughts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    26 min
  3. How James Talarico Won Over Independents Amid Texas Primary Chaos

    MAR 5

    How James Talarico Won Over Independents Amid Texas Primary Chaos

    James Talarico wins Texas’ Democratic Senate primary as campaigns point to unusually high independent participation in the state’s open primary system. Then Dallas County’s last-minute switch back to precinct-only voting sparks confusion, long lines, and a legal fight over ballots cast after 7 p.m. in the GOP primary between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 Texas Primary Night & Dallas Voting Chaos 00:07:42 Ken Paxton, Open Primaries & The Independent Vote 00:09:18 Talarico, Cruz & How Low Turnout Elects Senators 00:13:50 ShamWow Guy Runs for Congress 00:14:15 U.S. Strikes Iran & The War Powers Debate 00:20:15 Fetterman Shakes Trump's Hand — Alone 00:28:30 The FEC Is Shut Down & Campaign Finance Wild West 00:33:01 Ranked Choice Voting Coming to Los Angeles? 00:37:32 Voter ID Bills: Not All Are the Same 00:41:49 California Billionaire Wealth Tax Explained See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  4. Voter ID Is Popular. Trust Isn’t. The Catch in Trump’s SOTU Push

    FEB 26

    Voter ID Is Popular. Trust Isn’t. The Catch in Trump’s SOTU Push

    Tune in for our independent breakdown of Trump’s record-length 2026 State of the Union: voter ID + proof of citizenship, immigration rhetoric, affordability vs “winning” messaging, a rare bipartisan beat on banning stock trading, and the moment the chamber unified around a Coast Guard rescue. This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Cold Open: Citizenship, Voter ID & Affordability 00:01:21 – IVP Poll Goes Viral 00:03:00 – Voter ID and the Republican Trust Gap 00:06:15 – SAVE Act, Proof of Citizenship & Texas Voters 00:09:05 – State of the Union: Decorum & Political Theater 00:11:55 – Both Parties Tone Deaf on the Economy 00:14:31 – ICE, Hard-Line Rhetoric & Creating Enemies 00:17:42 – Gerrymandering & the Broken Primary System 00:21:07 – Killer Tomatoes & Campaign Finance Reform 00:28:23 – Maine, Ranked Choice Voting & the Road Ahead   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min
  5. Are Parties Using Election Rules to Control You? Voter ID, Texas Primaries & the FCC Power Grab

    FEB 19

    Are Parties Using Election Rules to Control You? Voter ID, Texas Primaries & the FCC Power Grab

    Are election rules protecting voters or protecting parties? Chad Peace and Cara McCormick break down voter ID laws, Texas Republicans shutting out independents, the FCC's move against late night TV, and why Gallup stopped polling. Independent voters are nearly half the electorate,  and the parties are scared.  This episode is sponsored by the Independent Voter Project and produced by Olas Media.  Listen to more episodes and read in-depth coverage at: https://ivn.us  and https://independentvoterproject.org  Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Cold Open, What Gives Us Energy00:02:03 – Voter ID: SAVE Act vs California Initiative00:06:09 – Clean Voter ID or Political Overreach?00:10:15 – Colbert, CBS, and FCC Censorship Debate00:15:53 – Trump, Media Bias, and the First Amendment00:20:46 – Texas Open Primaries and Party Hypocrisy00:26:16 – States’ Rights and Who Controls Elections00:28:56 – Ranked Choice Voting, NFL MVP, and Reform Debates00:34:53 – California Primaries, Gerrymandering, and Party Power00:40:02 – Gallup Ends Presidential Polling and the Future of Public Opinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min
  6. 83% Want Voter ID - So Why Is Congress Fighting It? SAVE Act Explained

    FEB 12

    83% Want Voter ID - So Why Is Congress Fighting It? SAVE Act Explained

    The House just passed the SAVE America Act - national voter ID + proof of citizenship to register. On the Independent Voter Podcast, we unpack what’s in the bill, why polls show broad support for voter ID, and the sticking points: which IDs count (student ID?), costs (should IDs be free?), and whether new rules could block eligible voters before 2026.  Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to the Independent Voter Podcast 00:02:30 – Missouri Gerrymander and Filing Deadline Chaos 00:05:24 – Maine Ranked Choice Voting Expansion Debate 00:10:04 – Ballot Initiatives and Signature Verification 00:12:32 – California’s Top-Two Primary and Governor’s Race 00:20:50 – Congressional Stock Trading Ban Stalemate 00:22:13 – SAVE Act and National Voter ID Debate 00:26:00 – Federal Overreach and the “Mega Act” 00:29:16 – Mail Voting, Ballot Harvesting, and Election Integrity 00:34:04 – IVP Updates and Closing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min
  7. Fraud & Waste Red Flags in Public Education: Inside “Failure Factory” | Chris Papst

    FEB 10

    Fraud & Waste Red Flags in Public Education: Inside “Failure Factory” | Chris Papst

    Emmy-winning investigative reporter Chris Papst (Project Baltimore) unpacks Failure Factory: soaring Baltimore City Public Schools budgets, stagnant outcomes, grade-changing allegations, and public-records battles that raise waste and potential fraud red flags. What real accountability could look like for taxpayers, parents, and students. As the nation grapples with government fraud allegations across the country, Papst brings a unique perspective. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Why Independent Voters Need a Different Education Conversation00:00:29 – Introducing Chris Papst and the Failure Factory Investigation00:01:42 – Following the Money: Rising School Budgets, Stagnant Outcomes00:05:27 – Graduation Rates vs Math Proficiency: The Data Gap00:07:28 – Where the Money Really Went: Administrators Over Classrooms00:11:46 – Grade Changing and the Illusion of Student Success00:14:01 – Suing the School System and Uncovering Systemic Fraud00:16:29 – Accountability Failure and the Role of Local Elections00:21:18 – Broken Incentives, Leadership Failure, and Voter Responsibility   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min
  8. How the “Politics Industry” Breaks Everything: ICE, CA Governor’s Race & Reform | Steve Peace

    FEB 5

    How the “Politics Industry” Breaks Everything: ICE, CA Governor’s Race & Reform | Steve Peace

    Steve Peace, co-founder of the Independent Voter Project and architect of California’s top-two primary, breaks down the wide-open CA governor’s race and why campaigns still think in party buckets. The hosts dig into open primaries + ranked-choice, ICE/immigration and civil liberties, voter ID and ballot security, and the controversy over seized Fulton County ballots—plus a quick update on Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and the USS Midway’s Freedom Park. Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to the Independent Voter Podcast00:00:45 – Introducing Steve Peace and his role in California reform00:02:00 – California’s wide-open governor’s race and early contenders00:07:00 – Open primaries, party power, and why campaigns haven’t adapted00:16:00 – Ranked choice voting and reform incentives00:23:45 – ICE, immigration enforcement, and political overreach00:31:10 – Voter ID, mail ballots, and election trust00:44:10 – Federal seizure of ballots and election integrity debates00:52:00 – Fear-driven fundraising and partisan narratives01:02:30 – Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and closing reflections See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 8m
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About

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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