As the state of California grapples with record-breaking heat, wildfire, pandemic, and a $54 billion budget deficit, TPR spoke with California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Jared Blumenfeld to discuss how his agency’s priorities have been impacted by the overlapping crises and continued federal antagonism to climate action.

This is an independent opinion. Want to respond? Write your own commentary! Email hoa@ivn.us.

Most of us have a few political priorities we’re passionate about. The list might include climate change, taxation, immigration reform, the military—there are many possibilities.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on The Fulcrum and has been republished on IVN with permission from the publisher.

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A sweeping election reform measure has been removed from the November ballot following a North Dakota Supreme Court ruling Tuesday.

Amber McReynolds joins host T.J. O’Hara on Deconstructed to discuss “at home” voting. Ms. McReynolds is the CEO of the National Vote at Home Institute, co-author of the book When Women Vote, and an expert on election policy and administration. She is also the former Director of Elections for Denver, Colorado, where she transformed the Elections Division into a national and international award-winning office. In addition, Ms.

This is an independent opinion. Want to respond? Write your own commentary! Email hoa@ivn.us.

"There is no life east of I-5" has been a common saying in San Diego County for at least 40 years. But in a county covering nearly 4,300 square miles, the strength of our region lies in its diversity. 

When it comes to the race for San Diego mayor, the local GOP has made its decision: “LEAVE IT BLANK – BOTH are terrible.” In a contest pitting two Democrats – Barbara Bry and Todd Gloria – against each other, the Republican Party of San Diego County isn’t taking sides. In other races where the only candidates are Democrats, it is telling party members, “No Endorsement.” 

Whether non-Democrats and third-party voters will follow that advice come Nov. 3, or instead become the deciding factor is the big question.

Update 8/30/20: Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap has appealed the superior court's ruling on an emergency basis. The clock is ticking as in 5 weeks, absentee ballots will be sent out in 5 weeks. Stay tuned for more updates.

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Maine was set to be the first state in the US to use ranked choice voting in presidential elections. That has all changed after a recent ruling by a superior court judge.

An associate warden of the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility resigned last Friday — days after seven officers were attacked by inmates, an incident the leader described as a "lack of responsiveness" by his superiors.

Editor's Note: This op-ed originally appeared in the South Florida Sun Sentinel and has been republished in its entirety with permission from the author.

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This November, Florida voters have the chance to expand the voting rights of all registered voters by supporting “All Voters Vote” — Amendment 3.

Most Americans agree that the current political process does not serve their interests. They believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. They believe policymakers are more concerned with what their party wants than what their constituents want.

And they’re not wrong. But, voters in several states have an opportunity in 2020 to help move the needle on reform that would give voters greater power over and confidence in the political process.