POWER TO MORE PEOPLE
We will advocate for
Responsible Representation
These changes will make our elections fairer and more competitive.
- Nonpartisan Primaries
- Final Five/Four Instant Runoff General Elections
- Independent Redistricting Commissions
Accountable Government
These changes will improve how government works and put people before party.
- No Budget, No Pay
- Bipartisan/Majority Bills get a vote
- Maintaining the Filibuster in the US Senate
- Term Limits for Congress and the Supreme Court
Policies to Secure the Future
These policies will ensure security and opportunity for all Americans.
- Border Security
- Economic Security
- Individual Security
THE MIDDLE IS GROWING
ACROSS AMERICA
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- Topic Overview
- Elected Officials
- Election Information
- Add Your Voice
We are the Sensible Majority.
We share common values
We seek common ground
We are frustrated and angry with the state of politics today
There are more of us than you think! Click on your state to learn more.
We share common values
We seek common ground
We are frustrated and angry with the state of politics today
Partisan Control
This map shows which states are controlled by one political party.
This is when the Senate, House, and the Governor’s office are controlled entirely by Republicans or Democrats.
Only 10 states have divided control, where Democrats and Republicans share control over the state government.
Competitive Congressional Races
of district races in are competitive.
% of voters are part of the Sensible Majority and can be the swing vote in an election.
This map shows what states have competitive congressional races in the 2024 general election.
Only 40 of the 435 aces were decided by 5% or less of the total votes. The vast majority of races are not competitive due to partisan primaries and gerrymandering, which is when district boundaries are drawn to favor one party over the other.
Primaries
This map shows primary election systems per state. Click on your state to learn more.
Partisan primary elections favor extreme, partisan candidates, restrict independent voter participation, and lead to uncompetitive general elections.
The four main types of primary elections:
- Nonpartisan: All candidates are on one ballot, and any voter can participate.
- Open: Any voter can vote in any party’s primary.
- Semi-Closed: Independents can vote in any primary, but party members must vote in their own.
- Closed: Only party members can vote in their primary; independents can’t vote at all.
General Elections
Single-winner, plurality voting
In this system, candidates participate in partisan primary elections. The winners from each party primary then move to the general election. The candidate with the most votes wins, even if they don’t have over half the votes.
Single-winner, Final 4 instant runoff, majority voting
This system starts with one nonpartisan primary where all candidates compete together, regardless of party. The top four finishers advance to the general election. Voters rank these four, and the candidate who eventually secures more than half the votes wins.
Single-winner, Top 2, majority voting
All candidates participate in a single nonpartisan primary, regardless of party affiliation. The top two candidates then face off in the general election. The winner must receive more than half the votes to win in the general election.
Single-winner, majority voting, with Top 2 runoffs
Candidates go through party-based primaries first. The winners advance to the general election, where a candidate must secure over half the votes to win. If not, the top two finishers go to a separate runoff election.
Single-winner, majority voting, with Instant Runoff voting
Candidates advance from party primaries to the general election. Voters rank all candidates. If no one has more than half the votes initially, instant runoffs will eliminate last place candidates until a majority winner is found.
This map shows general election systems per state. Click on your state to learn more.
The other 44 states use plurality voting in their general election.
Majority voting:
A candidate must win with over 50% of the vote.
Plurality voting:
A candidate can win with less than 50% of the vote.
The 5 main types of voting systems used in general elections:
- Single-winner plurality: Candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.
- Final 4 instant runoff: Rank candidates; the winner needs over 50%.
- Top 2 majority: Top two finishers from the primary, winner must get a majority.
- Majority voting with Top 2 runoff: If no majority, top two candidates face a runoff.
- Majority voting with Instant Runoff: Rank candidates; votes transfer until someone wins with over 50%.
Elected Officials
Election Information
ARE YOU PART OF THE
SENSIBLE MAJORITY?
ARE YOU PART OF THE
SENSIBLE MAJORITY?
We share a lot in common, but we are not all the same.
Democracy Defenders:
- Values: Democracy and Equality
- Identity: Politically exhausted
- Political Engagement: Highly engaged voters who will vote for the right candidate from either party
Disconnected Realists:
- Values: Freedom and Family
- Identity: Skeptical of the system
- Political Engagement: Will vote when they connect with the candidate or issue
Independent Observers:
- Values: Equality and Independence
- Identity: Fiercely independent
- Political Engagement: Searching for politicians who put results over partisanship
Engaged Traditionalists:
- Values: Family and Responsibility
- Identity: Country before party
- Political Engagement: Engaged and vocal about bringing back common sense to our politics
