People vs. Politics

“I cannot vote today. Ask me why,” reads the homemade sandwich board sign that D.C. native Lisa Rice wears on primary election day. Passing voters ask, and this good-natured election reformer has answers and petitions to sign. Like the fastest-growing contingent of voting Americans, Lisa is a registered Independent and therefore unable to vote in party primaries—that is, in the very selection of candidates. Lisa, the hand behind D.C.’s successful Initiative 83 to create open primaries and ranked-choice general elections, has counterparts around the country in states as disparate as Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, and Alaska. People vs. Politics profiles these grassroots organizers, capturing their enthusiasm, commitment to civility and responsive government, and incredible grit in the face of pushback from both political parties in America’s polarized public sphere.