Peter —

All of America has been rocked by the scourge of gun violence, and perhaps no group more than Gen Z. The rise in school shootings over the past two decades has forced young Americans to face firsthand the fears and anxieties surrounding this appallingly familiar problem, with little of the resources or power to change or improve the situation.

This week, more than a thousand Nashville-area students used the power of their collective voices to demand stronger gun laws, following the horrific mass shooting at a Nashville private school on March 27. The students walked out of their schools and assembled outside the Tennessee State Capitol, chanting, “Do your job!” and “This is what democracy looks like!”

They weren’t alone. They were joined by other citizens with the same concerns who’ve been left frustrated over a lack of action. Tennessee Forward Party State Lead Shannon Rasmussen was one of them. From the steps of the Statehouse, she said:

“People of every cohort, every background, every race, and every political leaning are working together in Nashville to make their voices heard. Forward is leveraging our recent experience in the General Assembly and our proximity to the movement to educate people about how they can be involved. We’re working to find the representatives who want to solve problems—and to take note of those who don’t. We’re listening to the voices around us and celebrating the civic engagement that’s happening, because it’s the only thing that will change our broken system.”

Well said, Shannon!

But instead of working on the pressing issue of gun violence, the Tennessee legislature instead voted today to expel two Democratic House members for interrupting a floor session and using a bullhorn to lead chants for gun control. It marks just the fourth time since the end of the Civil War that House members have expelled their elected colleagues.

Now, we understand and have the utmost respect for democratic rules and norms. But when they’re exploited solely to hurt the other “team,” at the expense of doing the people’s business, we have a problem with that. It’s that kind of partisan gamesmanship that doesn’t move us Forward.

Meanwhile, in Florida (where the Forward Party is now official!), Leslie Villegas testified against a pair of state bills, astutely noting:

“Nearly 100% of electoral districts in Florida are uncompetitive, guaranteeing that only one party can win the district, and many candidates run unopposed. Most of you are here today only for this reason, including the leadership of this committee. Voting you out is not possible. I ask you to consider and respect the majority of your constituents.”

Tell ‘em like it is, Leslie!

Forwardists are out there making their mark. Got a similar story to share? Let us know.

A word about 2024
One more very important bit of Forward Party news: This week, our Executive Board formally announced that we will not run a presidential candidate next year. Our plans as an organization are focused on the longer project of strengthening our democracy through competition, and we can’t afford to be distracted from that goal. For our full statement on this decision, please click here.

• New national political party looks to Stonington borough candidate for a boost —The Day
• Does America need a third party? —Governing
• Arizona Democrats to sue No Labels to block third-party challenge —The Washington Post
• No Labels group scaring Democrats for 2024 —National Review
• ‘A betrayal’: NC Democrats, White House blast Cotham’s decision to leave party, join GOP —The News & Observe

OTHER NEWS & VIEWS

RCV takes a step forward in VT
The Vermont Senate has advanced a bill that would implement ranked-choice voting in Vermont for presidential primary elections beginning in 2028. A study committee comprised of lawmakers, representatives from the Secretary of State’s Office, municipal governments, and other stakeholders will convene to take a closer look at how widespread RCV would operate in Vermont. The bill faces one more Senate vote before moving to the House. —VT Digger

More ranked-choice voting news:

• Arizona Republican lawmakers move to block ranked-choice voting effort —Tucson.com
• Minnesota elections could see ranked-choice voting by 2026 —The Minnesota Daily
• How would ranked-choice voting work in Chicago? —WTTW
• Eric Buhler: Ranked-choice voting: Keep Montana independent —The Missoulian
• Kenia Peregrino: Why ranked-choice voting could be the way forward —Yakima Herald-Republic
• Jonathan Bydlak: Ranked-choice voting could help cure the GOP’s ‘candidate quality’ problem —The UnPopulist
• Mark Ritchie: Ranked-choice voting’s time has come —The Star Herald

Open primaries worked in Chicago
“In Chicago’s recent mayoral primary election, the use of an open primary system allowed for a more diverse and inclusive candidate pool, resulting in a more competitive election, with a wider range of candidates vying for the mayorship. In an open primary system, all registered voters are allowed to participate in the primary election, regardless of their political affiliation. In short, open primaries ensured that all Chicagoans have a say in who (or who won’t) the next mayor could be.” —Dariel Cruz Rodriguez in The Fulcrum

More open primaries news:

• Amendment to require direct partisan primary elections will be decided by Arizona voters in 2024 —Ballotpedia News
• Independents excluded from PA’s 2023 primary election —Spotlight PA
• Republicans seek to change Montana primary to thwart Tester —Associated Press
• Open primary supporters renew push to bring in new voters —Fox56
• Ed Board: Closed minds prevent open primaries —The Times-Tribune
• Alexandra Sharp: Two great election reforms that go great together —Washington Monthly

WI liberal wins state Supreme Court seat
Wisconsinites on Tuesday elected Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz as their newest justice on the state Supreme Court. She defeated conservative justice Dan Kelly in a contentious race that could have major ramifications for policy in the state going forward. Wisconsin has some of the most gerrymandered electoral maps in the country, but the new majority could change that. Litigants will almost certainly bring a gerrymandering case, and given the justices’ 10-year terms, the liberal court will have a say over not only the current maps but also the maps drawn after 2030. —Reason

More gerrymandering news:

• Judge rejects Galveston County’s move to dismiss gerrymandering lawsuit —The Daily News
• The most peculiarly gerrymandered districts —The New Yorker
• Chris Churchill: No more gerrymandering madness —Times Union

We can solve our political divisions
“We live in a country of incredible diversity; our upbringings and experiences define our opinions on politics, policies, and the country we want to live in. We have a tremendous amount to learn from each other. Unfortunately, prominent politicians and news outlets profit off dividing us across cultural lines. Political parties raise money off painting the policies of the other side of the aisle as a plot to turn America into an apocalyptic hellscape. The manufactured outrage, cultural division, and social media-incited breakdown in constructive dialogue make America seem irreparably divided. It may sound naive to say this, but we agree on more than it appears.” —Ryan Bernsten in The Fulcrum

Since the Forward Party launched, we’re sure you’ve heard the negative criticisms lobbed our way. We don’t take it personally. Change is hard, and we get it. If it ever gets you down, remind yourself of this: it’s not about us. What the critics are actually reacting to is the faulty system that relegates anyone new or different to “spoiler” status. Then hold your head up high and keep moving Forward.

All the best,
The Forward Party Team

P.S. If you haven’t seen it yet, please check out our amazing new website!

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