Voters looking to move away from partisan histrionics and the impotence of “politics as usual” have solid alternatives to Democrats and Republicans in this year’s midterm elections.

In Missouri and Maryland, there are candidates for the U.S. Senate who present a clear vision of what “Country Over Party” means, with unique insight into how a recent surge in nonpartisan political activity can affect our elections, now and into the future.

Many commentators have disparaged the thoughts and prayers of people of faith in this country in the aftermath of a highly publicized rampage killing. I understand that they are frustrated with what they perceive as an unacceptably negligent legislative response to these events. In the tragedy of the moment they want immediate and decisive action from legislators to prevent future tragedies.

San Diego, CALIF.- County Registrar Michael Vu has sent IVN San Diego the current absentee ballot numbers.

Here is the breakdown:

Total Ballots Returned:  371,719

141,799   38.1%  (DEM)

134,833  36.2% (REP)

78,475    21.1%   (No Party Preference)

NPP voter turnout is a little more than 20% which, if it holds, would be a larger percentage turnout than the 2016 presidential election.

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - It is nearly impossible for a candidate to run, and win, as an independent in most states. Without a party infrastructure, candidates have little to no support structure, including party member communications, party campaign finance advantages, and perhaps most importantly, the benefit of an almost universally accepted axiom: only a Republican or a Democrat can actually win.

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI - The Clean Missouri campaign released a press release Friday announcing that their proposed good government constitutional amendment picked up its seventh newspaper endorsement ahead of the November 6 election.

"Measure G is the only measure that will provide real public benefits for generations to come." - Donna Frye

San Diego, CALIF.- For a large number of voters, the opportunity to reimagine and remake the river park in Mission Valley is the most critical, important piece of the initiative puzzle.

The fact that environmental and community leader Donna Frye is now supporting the SDSU West plan, will likely mean a lot for those who view the river restoration as a priority.

Mail bombs spark national partisan-driven blame game; Tulsi Gabbard considers a 2020 presidential run; Republicans support a far-left Senate candidate over Dianne Feinstein; and history is being made under nonpartisan election reform.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Most polls show Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) leading FMR Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) in the 2018 Tennessee Senate race. Bredesen for Senate recently ran a Facebook Ad with a quote from a New York Times op ed saying, "At stake in the Bredesen-Blackburn race is the durability of a Tennessee tradition of electing temperamentally sound senators."

The Public Policy Institute of California published the results of their latest survey on "Californians & Their Government" Thursday. PPIC reports that most Californians are not satisfied with either major party, and think a third party is needed.

At first glance, a citizen or “expert” might be persuaded that the way to provide adequate security surrounding the current U.S. election systems is to make sure the systems utilize paper ballots.

This is certainly a good idea, but only one piece of the necessary security conversation.