Santa Barbara, CA. - The City of Santa Barbara has passed an ordinance that allows restaurant employees to be punished with up to six months of jail time or a $1,000 fine for giving plastic straws to their customers.

I am concerned with the July 24, 2018 op-ed titled, Virginia Republican: “Ranked Choice Voting Most Superior Voting Method in US.”  While the statements are true, what is missing speaks volumes and illustrates why IRV/RCV may not be in the best interests of independent voters.

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – The Los Angeles Times recently ran an article entitled, “California has sued the Trump administration 38 times. Here's a look at the legal challenges.” As a United States citizen and a resident of California, it occurred to me that I was paying the legal fees for both sides of the 38 different lawsuits. It also raised the question of whether my rights were being protected or abused for political purposes.

The independent and nonpartisan reform movements have never seen the momentum they are seeing today. Voters are ditching the Republican and Democratic Parties in droves. A record number of independent and third party candidates are running. And, powerful coalitions are forming to transform the US political system into one that is more representative of the diverse political landscape in America.

We are witnessing history in the making. Here are the 15 biggest developments in the independent movement:

San Diego, CA. - At its agenda meeting on Tuesday, the California State University Board of Trustees voted to endorse the SDSU West plan.

The recommendation reads:

By a vote of 4-1, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors rejected the Fair Vote Participation Initiative for the November general election.

The measure, that would have mirrored Measure K in the City of San Diego, would have forced all county races to the general election, no matter if a candidate gets 50%+1 of the vote.

It's been called The Year of the Woman, the apex of the #metoo movement, and the height of #timesup. And the sheer number of female candidates running for Congress is commonly referred to as the ‘pink wave'. But as it turns out, the ‘pink wave’ is actually a shade of deep blue.

Now is a historic moment in American politics. Not only are we seeing a swell of support for fundamental political reform, but reform organizations and grassroots supporters are joining forces.

The Bridge Alliance is the largest coalition of civic action groups in the United States, with over 85 “member” organizations. These groups are united in the understanding that our political system is plagued by a myriad of problems, and the best way to solve them is by working together.

BOULDER, COLO. - Nick Thomas, who has an opportunity to be Colorado's first independent congressman, has officially qualified for the November ballot in the state's 2nd Congressional District. Thomas submitted over 1,300 signatures of the 800 required, and the secretary of state has certified him for the ballot.