Two factors lie at the heart of today’s civic dysfunction
Most elections today are decided in the primary, the election generally with the lowest voter turnout. As a result, a small minority of voters decide the vast majority of elections. Candidates are forced to move further to partisan extremes to secure a win in the party primary, fueling political polarization and preventing constructive problem solving once elected.
Limited participation primary elections
Currently, voters are able to express only a single preference as they cast their vote. Many voters find this to be a choice between the lesser of two evils. Third-party and Independent candidates are seen as “spoilers”, allowing a candidate to win with less than 50% of the votes. With fewer candidates on the ballot, choice and competition are artificially minimized.
Single choice elections
Politicians who stake out extreme positions and reject bipartisan governance. In other words: GRIDLOCK.