Podcast Summary: Tangle – Interview with Nick Troiano of Unite America on Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and Open Primaries

Episode Information

• Title: Interview: Isaac talks with Nick Troiano of Unite America about RCV and Open Primaries
• Host: Isaac Saul
• Guest: Nick Troiano, Executive Director of Unite America
• Release Date: July 9, 2025

Introduction In this engaging episode of Tangle, host Isaac Saul welcomes back Nick Troiano, Executive Director of Unite America, for a deep dive into election reforms, specifically Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and Open Primaries. Recorded in April and released following a pivotal mayoral race in New York City influenced by RCV, the conversation explores the ongoing efforts to transform the U.S. electoral system to better reflect the will of the broader electorate.

Background and Mission of Unite America Nick Troiano begins by sharing his personal journey into election reform, motivated by concerns over the nation's fiscal instability and the political gridlock that hampers effective governance. Having run for Congress as an independent in 2014, Troiano witnessed firsthand the distortions within the electoral system that favor party extremes over moderate, constituent-focused representatives.

Notable Quote:

"Our organization is working at the state level across the country to champion reforms that are both powerful and viable in trying to improve our democracy."
— Nick Troiano [05:17]

Understanding the Primary Problem Troiano elucidates the "primary problem," highlighting that a mere 14% of voters cast meaningful ballots in decisive elections. This low participation rate in primaries leads to elected officials being accountable to a small, often ideologically extreme, segment of the electorate. Consequently, politicians prioritize pandering to their base over addressing the general public's needs.

Notable Quote:

"Our elected leaders are only accountable to them, especially when those leaders are thinking about what does it take to get reelected."
— Nick Troiano [08:15]

Proposed Solutions: Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting The discussion moves to potential solutions, with Troiano outlining a spectrum of reforms:

1. Closed Primaries: Only registered party members can vote, excluding independents.
   Solution: Open Primaries – Allow all voters to participate, irrespective of party affiliation.

2. All-Candidate Primaries: Voters choose candidates for each office independently rather than by party.
   Solution: All-Candidate Primaries – Enable voters to select candidates across different parties for various positions.

3. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV): Allows voters to rank candidates by preference, ensuring winners have majority support.
   Solution: RCV Implementation – Facilitates instant runoffs, promoting candidates with broader support.

Notable Quote:

"It changes the incentives of our leaders. And so if you gave me a magic wand and said, would you rather change all 435 members of the House Representatives, would you rather change how they're going to get reelected in the next election?"
— Nick Troiano [12:00]

Challenges and Opposition Troiano addresses the resistance faced when advocating for these reforms. Primarily, political parties resist changes that threaten their established control and benefits derived from the current system. Despite bipartisan voter support (70-80%) for more inclusive voting systems, parties often oppose reforms to maintain their influence.

Notable Quote:

"The political parties themselves... lead the resistance to change."
— Nick Troiano [15:52]

Concerns About Special Interest Influence A common criticism of open primaries is that they may empower well-funded candidates or special interest groups. Troiano counters this by arguing that the current closed system already disproportionately amplifies special interests due to low voter turnout. By expanding the electorate, the influence of single-issue groups diminishes.

Notable Quote:

"Open primaries has the benefit of mitigating the special interests."
— Nick Troiano [19:17]

Impact on Congressional Behavior The interview delves into how the primary problem affects legislative actions, particularly during significant political moments. Troiano explains that the pressure from a small, ideologically driven voter base can compel legislators to align closely with party lines, often at the expense of broader constituent interests.

Notable Quote:

"Our elected leaders are only accountable to them... and that compromises their ability to perform effectively."
— Nick Troiano [30:43]

Bipartisan Support and Future Strategies Despite encountering opposition, Troiano emphasizes that election reforms like open primaries and RCV enjoy bipartisan voter support. Unite America aims to continue advancing these reforms through state-level initiatives and legislative efforts, drawing inspiration from successful implementations in states like Alaska and New Mexico.

Notable Quote:

"The movement is going to continue to build and I think position itself to be part of imagining what the next chapter of our country can look like."
— Nick Troiano [38:15]

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Initiatives Troiano outlines Unite America's future plans, including promoting success stories from states that have adopted RCV and open primaries. The organization seeks to simplify policy explanations and enhance voter education to build deeper support for electoral reforms.

Notable Quote:

"How do we simplify both the policy that is going on to the ballot and the ways in which that we are talking about it?"
— Nick Troiano [27:31]

Conclusion Isaac Saul wraps up the interview by highlighting the critical role of election reforms in addressing the systemic issues plaguing American democracy. Troiano reiterates the importance of continuous advocacy and education to ensure that the U.S. electoral system evolves to better represent its diverse electorate.

Final Quote:

"What we need to continue to do to ensure that this grand experiment of self-governance continues long into the future."
— Nick Troiano [38:15]

Additional Resources Listeners interested in diving deeper into election reforms can explore Unite America's resources, including the book The Primary Solution and the documentary Majority Rules. For more information and to get involved, visit UniteAmerica.org.

About Tangle Tangle is an independent, non-partisan political news podcast hosted by Isaac Saul. The show features diverse perspectives from across the political spectrum, insightful interviews, and in-depth discussions on current events. For more content and to subscribe, visit readtangle.com.