As the political divide between the Republican and Democratic parties widens and voters increasingly reject not only major party candidates, but an election system that disenfranchises millions of voters nationwide and disenchants millions more, it is important to examine the traditional "red versus blue" paradigm and whether or not certain terms can still apply -- or were ever truly applicable -- in the contemporary political environment.

1. Illinois Times runs op-ed saying open primaries and redistricting reform would help ease partisan gridlock in Washington.

"Open primaries would help moderate the nation’s politics, as would bipartisan redistricting commissions capable of doing away with gerrymandered districts. Increasing voter participation and improving the integrity of our elections would also help.

A new report highlights something that those in the military community and veterans have known for a long time: the treatment that is currently used for those with PTSD often has little effect on the disorder. In addition, the Department of Defense and the VA don't share information with one another, so if there are any successes, those findings are not communicated in a way that would help patients.

However, with all the focus on one candidate, the media is ignoring the minor party candidates in the race.

In 2010, California became the second state to adopt a nonpartisan, “Top-Two” primary, where all candidates and voters participate on the same ballot.

There’s a common misconception about the purpose of the Top-Two primary that infects nearly every commentator, political scientist, and other so-called election expert: that Top-Two is intended to produce moderation.

1. The New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union sues New Hampshire secretary of state over restrictive ballot access laws.

"The law says third parties may not gather signatures to petition their way onto ballots before Jan. 1 of the election year. It took effect Tuesday."

"We all know the end point for the Israeli-Palestinian process is simple. Everybody knows it. It's a two-state solution. We know roughly what the contours of those states would be. The problem getting there involves a lot of painful concessions on both sides.”—Fareed Zakaria

The 95 percent of Americans who eat chicken may want to take notice: the inspections regime for processing chickens and turkeys is likely to undergo major changes as the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) pushes onward in its expansion of a pilot program that will apply to all of the country's poultry processing plants.

We like to believe that money isn't everything when it comes to match-ups in the general election, but in reality it can be a pretty good indicator of who will be the last ones standing come November 4.

Greg Orman gains serious ground on the major party candidates.

As the 2014 general election season comes into view, absentee voters in some states will participate in the voting process under new rules. Here’s a rundown of new absentee ballot rules for Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Ohio.