California had its first non-partisan open primary this year. Under the new election rules, all candidates, regardless of party run on a single ballot in the primary. The top two candidates are then selected, regardless of their party affiliation, to face off in the general election.

The Maryland Independent Party, recognized by the state in 2008, has been dissolved due to dormant campaign finances. The state Elections Board voted on June 3rd to withdraw recognition of the party by closing its campaign account. As a result, voters affiliated with the party are free to change their party affiliation for the upcoming elections in November.

When it comes to deciding who to vote for, the independent voter has a daunting task ahead of them. The funds raised by the two mainstream campaigns, which have totaled over half a billion dollars each, are mostly appropriated towards getting the parties' messages out to the public, but how are those messages conveyed, and what are independent voters suppose to think?

Participation in the electoral process is the cornerstone of democracy, and according to a recent study led by the University of California, San Diego, increased voter participation could be more accessible than we recently thought. Voter education and "get out the vote" campaigns have struggled to appeal to voters nationwide, and while efforts result in an increase in voter participation, costs of traditional campaigning limit the reach of such campaigns.

Participation in the electoral process is the cornerstone of democracy, and according to a recent study led by the University of California, San Diego, increased voter participation could be more accessible than we recently thought. Voter education and "get out the vote" campaigns have struggled to appeal to voters nationwide, and while efforts result in an increase in voter participation, costs of traditional campaigning limit the reach of such campaigns.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits soared last week in the wake of disappointing job gains in August. The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Agency reported an increase of 15,000 applications to a seasonably adjusted figure of 382,000 for the week ending September 8.