Episode 6: Reforming Primaries

Seth and John are honored to be joined by political scientist Dr. Caitlin Jewitt of Virginia Tech, for a discussion about the primary reforms that are on several state ballots this fall. Why are states increasingly experimenting with top-two, top-four, and top-five systems, and how will this change our political system as more states go forward with this? Do these reforms weaken parties or strengthen them in the long run? Does ranked choice voting create better outcomes or just feed conspiracy theories about rigged elections? And finally, what’s the ideal temperature for letting sourdough rise?

Links:

• Caitlin Jewitt’s 2019 book The Primary Rules: Parties, Voters, and Presidential Nominations (University of Michigan Press)

• Unite America 2023 briefing on primary reform