It has been 3 days since US Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted as Speaker of the House, and the chamber still waits for a new Speaker to be elected by its members. Until this happens, the House cannot conduct most of its business.

Meaning, Congress is essentially shut down for the moment. 

Regardless of how one feels about McCarthy being Speaker or his removal, the latest chapter in America’s ongoing political drama highlights just how chaotic things can get when an election system allows an extreme minority to hold the most power.

Photo Credit: Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

California is one of only a few states that has broken the trend of increased polarization, according to a report released earlier this year. And the most significant thing that separates California's elections from other states is the use of a nonpartisan top-two primary.

Leaders in the nonpartisan reform space are set to gather in Los Angeles on September 27 for the American Democracy Summit – a 3-day event featuring A-list celebrities, high-profile public officials, and inspiring innovators committed to giving voters better elections and a more accountable political process.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Ohio Capitol Journal. It has also been shared on Fulcrum.us. 

What would the NCAA do if the head referee in the Ohio State-Michigan game spent his free time leading rallies and fundraisers for the Wolverines? Even if he assured fans he’d be neutral for the game itself, Buckeye nation would never believe him.

As the political landscape in the US shifts and some states find ways to offer their citizens more accessible elections, young voters are challenging conventional political wisdom in a significant way and are turning out in big numbers in states that allow them to cast a ballot from home.

Americans are growing increasingly concerned about the state of elections in the US.