Open Primaries and National Popular Vote -- Reforms We Could Use

•  Coffee Party hopeful fights runoff law (By Rick Orlov, LA Daily News) Because the Coffee Party (slogan: "Wake Up and Stand Up") is so new, Chamness is not allowed to list it as his political affiliation.
• Pennsylvania lags in women officeholders (By Jeremy Roebuck, Philadelphia Inquirer) "From the perspective of society and its willingness to accept women as leaders in government, we're there," Ferman said. "The question now becomes: Why are there so few?" Balchunis-Harris and others argue that while the electorate may be ready, Pennsylvania's deck remains stacked against women. Structural factors such as the state's old political machines and closed primaries have made it difficult to break through.
• In nonpartisan mayor’s race, some candidates wave party colors (By Delen Goldberg, Las Vegas Sun) Scholars argue that nonpartisan races tend to be more democratic because they remove parties’ influence over the nomination process and reduce patronage. Studies have also shown they increase voter access, especially as the number of independent voters rises.
• A Better Way to Hold a Presidential Election (By PAUL BEDARD, US News & World Report/Washington Whispers) Welcome to the growing debate over National Popular Vote, a private, nonpartisan effort which aims to convince state legislatures to switch to a system that guarantees that the popular vote winner becomes the president.