Tangle INTERVIEW: Isaac talks with Nick Troiano of Unite America about RCV and Open Primaries
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Jul 9, 2025 Nick Troiano, Executive Director of Unite America, sheds light on crucial election reforms like ranked choice voting and open primaries. He discusses the recent mayoral race in New York City influenced by these systems and the growing push for electoral change across the U.S. The conversation delves into challenges such as resistance from political parties and misconceptions about these reforms. Troiano emphasizes the need for broader voter engagement and offers insights into upcoming initiatives aimed at enhancing democracy and representation.
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The Primary Problem Explained
- The primary problem is that few voters decide elections, leading politicians to cater only to a small, ideologically extreme base.
- This undermines true representation and accountability in government, but it can be fixed by changing election systems.
Open Primaries and RCV Solutions
- Open primaries and ranked choice voting are key reforms to fix the primary problem.
- They expand voter choice and shift competition to the general election where more voters participate.
Parties Resist Yet Hurt Themselves
- Political parties resist election reforms because they benefit from the current system.
- Yet current primaries often nominate candidates outside the mainstream, hurting parties' electoral chances.
