Federal law states that foreign governments, corporations, and individuals cannot spend money on elections in the United States. Yet following the Citizens United decision in 2010, some – including President Obama himself – have worried that foreign money could have an easier time influencing American politics.

I've said throughout this election cycle that top-down campaigning won't have great results when it comes to independents and third-party candidates trying to affect change.

Bernie Sanders came to this position after his primary loss, acknowledging that change must start at the bottom, penetrating all levels of government, and work its way to the highest levels of office.

Several California voter registrars confirmed last week what the Independent Voter Project warned Secretary of State Alex Padilla about well ahead of the 2016 primary elections. As a result of insufficient voter education programs and ballot design problems there was mass voter confusion during the primary, resulting in -- among other things -- nearly a quarter of a million Senate votes being thrown out.

American elections have come a long way since Dwight D. Eisenhower bought the first television advertising spots ever used for political campaigning in history, employing 20 and 60-second spots to convey his message to the American voters.

Before technology, two-way campaigning was difficult.

Politicians could only be in one place at a time, often the battles took place in the newspapers -- and the 'two-way' aspect of campaigning, especially the collection of donations, was difficult to maintain on a consistent basis.

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted verified Wednesday that Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson will appear on the presidential ballot in November. Johnson supporters had to file Johnson as an independent because the Libertarian Party currently is not recognized as a minor party since it did not field a candidate for governor in 2014.

There's an axiom in polling that goes back to 1936. If you expect to win the presidency, you'd better be polling well as September begins.

Nobody really 'likes' to admit that polling is as good of a science as it is; it tends to undermine our sense of control and autonomy -- that less than 1,000 people polled can represent the population of 146 million or so voters in the United States.

But that's the nature of statistics -- as well as the numbers being criticized for any number of reasons.

The "S" Word

Americans are dissatisfied with the state of the economy – a topic that is bound to receive considerable attention this election season.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people embark on extended hiking expeditions; consequently, they are often in the wilderness during election season. Long distance hikers, called “thru-hikers,” travel on the popular Appalachian Trail (AT), Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and among Inyo County California treasures’ - the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and John Muir Trail (JMT).

We all know by now the 2016 election has been historic for many reasons. Revolutions called for, walls promised, and glass ceilings shattered. Now we are eyeing a possibility that third parties get 10% or beyond of the popular vote (most experts will take the under, I’ll be saucy and take the over).

The day after Vice President Joe Biden announced at a White House press conference with Mr. Obama and Mrs. Biden at his side, that he wouldn’t run for president, Senator Lindsay Graham, Republican of South Carolina, who was still in the race for president, was interviewed in Iowa by a reporter who asked, “What do you think of Joe Biden?”

Senator Graham answered, “Joe Biden is the best human being I’ve ever met. If anyone has a problem with Joe Biden, they need help.”