Partisan Elections Silence Half the Voters | Kansas City News

Kansas City News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 8, 2026 · 2m

In Douglas County, partisan elections are sidelining half the voters: with all candidates Democrats, only party members could vote in primaries, leaving Republicans, independents, and third-party supporters out of choosing commissioners—even though they outnumber Democrats. Experts warn this trend nationwide stifles democracy and fuels gridlock, as candidates don’t need broad appeal to win. A nonpartisan model, like Johnson County’s, where all voters pick from top two candidates, could restore inclusive participation—but it requires legislative approval and a county vote. Some commissioners…