SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - In the latest episode of the Independent Voter Podcast, host Jeff Powers asked San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Michael Smolens about a recent online exchange between Independent Voter Project representatives and Asm. Lorena Gonzalez about her bill, AB 681

During the Twitter back and forth, Gonzalez said she “settled” on legislation that gives independent voters (registered No Party Preference or "NPP") more information about their status in presidential primaries, but doesn’t protect their right to a meaningful vote. Smolens says “more information is important,” but he thinks “it would be in the interest of both parties to resolve” the real problems with the presidential primary.

“The growth of the independent voters can’t be left in limbo,” he says.

“It seems the way the trend lines are going and the growth of the NPP voters [state lawmakers] are going to have to do something to involve NPP voters more if they want to engage them.”

IVP has offered a solution to bring presidential primaries into compliance with the state constitution, which calls for an open primary process, and would allow independent voters a meaningful say selecting the next president.

Taxpayers pay for these primary elections. All voters deserve a voice.

Listen to the full podcast here.

Read the full exchange with Lorena Gonzalez here.

Sign the petition to open CA’s presidential primaries to ALL voters here.