Primary Buzz DISCUSSIONS SERIES

Open Primaries President John Opdycke hosts a monthly virtual discussion series to facilitate dialogue and debate within the growing independent and political reform arenas. Open Primaries is a leading national organization advocating for the full voting rights of every American, including the 49% who identify as political independents.  

Every month, 500-1200 people participate via Zoom or Facebook Live in a vibrant interview with Q and A open to all participants. 

Notable Past guests include: Psychologist Jonathan Haidt, Civil Rights leader and No Labels Co-Chair Dr. Ben Chavis, Forward Party Founder Andrew Yang, Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Former La Raza Board Chair Danny Ortega and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.

NEXT DISCUSSION:

Taking the Fight for Open Primaries to Court

October 17th, 2025 at 2:30PM EST
 
From Women’s Suffrage through the Civil Rights era to the modern day, the history of voting rights in the United States is intertwined with litigation, which (whether successful, unsuccessful or even pursued short of a final verdict) has served as a crucial catalyst in the evolution of our democracy.
 
Attorneys in multiple states are challenging closed primaries and the disenfranchisement of independent voters including a pending federal case before the US Supreme Court and state constitutional challenges in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Wyoming.
 
On Friday October 17th at 2:30pm ET, Open Primaries President John Opdycke brings together some of the attorneys leading the charge and building a litigation platform and strategy for the reform movement. They’ll discuss the role of litigation in change politics and how getting into court could transform the primary reform movement.
 
Featuring:
  • Boyd Rutherford, Former Maryland Lt Governor and partner at Davis, Agnor, Rapaport, & Skalny.
  • Chad Peace, Founder of the Independent Voter Project.
  • Matt Fontana, Partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath in Pennsylvania.
  • Jeremy Gruber, SVP at Open Primaries. You won’t want to miss it! 
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*And special guest, Professor Michael Polelle-plaintiff and counsel in Polelle v. Florida Secretary of State.

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 WATCH PAST DISCUSSIONS