As the nation focuses on the race for the White House, questions abound. Hyper-polarization has reached historic levels, with voters on either side, according to a survey from Pew research, increasingly believing that their opponents pose an existential threat to the country.
But the reality is that nearly 40% of all Americans are independent. That’s true here in Connecticut, too, where a plurality of voters are unaffiliated, according to state voter registration data. No matter the dysfunction in Washington, and no matter the campaign battles here at home, it’s incumbent on elected officials everywhere to recognize this simple reality.
A good idea is a good idea no matter which party it comes from. All of us —Democrats, Republicans, and independents— have an ethical obligation to work together to get things done. That’s what everyday people care about.
This is why we have to reimagine how elections happen, so that we can be a model for progress across the country.
That means embracing innovations like ranked choice voting. This process, in which voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than being forced into a binary choice between two parties, helps to moderate political rhetoric. Because candidates have to appeal beyond their base if they hope to be ranked near the top of voters’ choices, they must engage with diverse perspectives and address the concerns of all constituents.
This empowers independent voters and everyday residents, whose concerns are as varied and complex as their day-to-day lives.
Further, ranked choice voting ensures that winning candidates possess genuine majority support, enhancing the legitimacy of our elected representatives and giving them a mandate to work across party lines. That’s why it’s so heartening to see the creation of Connecticut’s first working group to recommend options for ranked choice voting. This is a genuine opportunity for progress toward less polarity and more civil discourse.
I’ve always believed that the key to civility is open-mindedness. My father is a Republican and my mother is a Democrat, so I spent many childhood dinners listening to their conversations about candidates and policy. At 10 years old, my introduction to politics was knocking doors in frigid New Hampshire amid the 2000 Republican primary. A high school internship with Congressman Chris Shays further cemented my respect for working across the aisle. Although my party affiliation changed amid the Iraq War, my experiences working for both Republicans and Democrats have strengthened my belief in a moderate, consensus-building approach to public policy.
This approach, achievable through ranked choice voting, can make our state a better place to live. That starts with lowering our taxes and cost of living while maintaining fiscal discipline.
As basic living costs rise substantially, working families are struggling. The price of a dozen eggs has skyrocketed by at least 60%, to more than $5 in Connecticut, compared to last year, according to price index data.
There’s nothing Democratic or Republican about putting money back in people’s pockets. There’s nothing partisan about helping families get by.
Here’s the bottom line. What do most voters want? Low taxes, safe streets, good schools, reliable transportation, and a high quality of life. They want to live and work in a place where they and their families can thrive today—and tomorrow.
I know this because it’s what my wife and I hope for as well. With the recent arrival of our son, we want nothing more than for him to grow up with the same strong foundation that Connecticut provided for me. But first we must change our politics.
For the tone to change, the election process needs to evolve to put all voters on equal footing. That’s why, if elected to the State Senate, I will lead the charge to implement ranked choice voting in Connecticut.
We must empower those who prioritize good policy over partisanship.
Nick Simmons of Greenwich is a candidate for the 36th State Senate district.