Save Democracy AZ Podcast
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Arizona's primary system allows independents to take part--but they have to choose to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary. Our Save Democracy AZ podcast explores the current system and what other options exist to give all of the state's voters equal access to choosing who will battle in the general election. We feature the most interesting politicians, elected officials, scholars, and pundits in conversation with Save Democracy host Steve Goldstein.
Episodes
S01 E01
Would Different Nominees Have Led to Different Election Results in Arizona?
Chuck Coughlin
For our inaugural edition of the Save Democracy AZ podcast, host Steve Goldstein asks HighGround's Chuck Coughlin about whether different Republican nominees would have led to the GOP winning more races in 2022. And, Coughlin offers insights on how changes to Arizona's party primaries could have given voters better options.
Chuck Coughlin
Chris Herstam
S01 E03
Sinema Becomes an Independent--What Would a Three-way Race in 2024 Look Like?
Host Steve Goldstein finds out what longtime political analyst Chris Herstam thinks of Senator Kyrsten Sinema's decision to leave the Democratic Party. Herstam also offers historical perspective on Arizona's infamous 1986 three-way battle for Governor that led to Evan Mecham winning the election and putting the state in a precarious position.
Chris Herstam
Jayson Stark
S01 E05
How MLB Writers Use Ranked-Choice Voting for Annual Awards
Save Democracy host Steve Goldstein catches up with legendary baseball writer Jayson Stark to learn more about how he and his colleagues use a form of ranked-choice voting to pick the sport's annual award winners in categories like Most Valuable Player and Cy Young.
Jayson Stark
Will Mantell
S01 E07
How the Academy Awards Use Ranked-Choice Voting
The Academy Awards honor the best in filmmaking every year, and the award that is arguably the most prestigious--for the best movie--is determined by ranked-choice voting. Save Democracy Host Steve Goldstein talks with Will Mantell of fairvote.org about how the Oscars may provide direction for some election reforms.
Will Mantell
S01 E02
Who Are the Independent Voters?
Thom Reilly
The number of independent voters continues to grow, and their impact was felt in a massive way in Arizona--as what was expected to be an extremely successful 2022 for the GOP didn't turn out that way in statewide races. Save Democracy host Steve Goldstein learns more from Thom Reilly, co-author of The Independent Voter.
Thom Reilly
Christian Grose
S01 E06
Has the Top Two Primary Led to More Problem-Solvers in California Politics?
Save Democracy Host Steve Goldstein explores election reform with University of Southern California Political Scientist and Professor Christian Grose, as Grose explains the impact of California's Top Two Primary on legislation and problem-solving by elected officials.
Christian Grose
Michael Thorning
S01 E08
Would Open Primaries Increase Voter Turnout?
Save Democracy Host Steve Goldstein finds out about new research from the Bipartisan Policy Center that looks into ways of increasing voter turnout in primary elections. Michael Thorning of BPC is the guest and the lead on the report "2022 Primary Turnout: Trends and Lessons for Boosting Participation."