Why Can't We Build A Better Primary System?

In this episode of All American Why, Michael asks why American elections so often leave voters choosing between two major-party candidates. From primaries and independent voters to ranked-choice voting, third parties, and electoral systems around the world, the episode explores whether we could give voters more meaningful choices.

Michael then talks with Tom Joseph about America’s Primary, his proposed alternative congressional nominating system. They explore how it would work, what problems it might solve, and what new challenges it could create.

Guest Information

Tom Joseph
Creator of America’s Main Street Primary

Tom Joseph developed America’s Main Street Primary as an alternative approach to congressional nominations. His appearance is an opportunity to explore the proposal and the broader question of whether America could design primary elections differently. @mainstreetparty_

Recording and Production

Recorded at: Michael’s Office in SE Portland, Oregon
Original Music: Rainezra (@rainezra) and Vews (@pointofvews)
Audio Editing by: Kye Gilmer (@residual_audio)
Marketing by: Nate Kersey (@natekersey)

Learn More / Sources

The following materials were referenced or informed this episode. Links are provided for transparency and further reading.

Party Affiliation Fact Sheet | Pew Research Center
Data on party identification and independent voters.
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/fact-sheet/party-affiliation-fact-sheet-npors/

Voters’ Feelings About the 2024 Campaign and Candidates | Pew Research Center
Research on voter attitudes toward the 2024 presidential choices.
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/07/11/voters-feelings-about-the-2024-campaign-and-candidates/

State Primaries Toolkit | National Conference of State Legislatures
Overview of primary systems used across the United States.
https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/state-primaries-toolkit

Preferential Voting | Australian Electoral Commission
Explanation of Australia’s preferential voting system.
https://www.aec.gov.au/learn/preferential-voting.htm

What is MMP? | Electoral Commission of New Zealand
Explanation of New Zealand’s mixed-member proportional system.
https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/what-is-new-zealands-system-of-government/what-is-mmp/

The Electoral System | German Federal Returning Officer
Overview of Germany’s Bundestag electoral system.
https://www.bundeswahlleiterin.de/en/bundestagswahlen/2025/informationen-waehler/wahlsystem.html

Voting Systems in the UK | UK House of Commons Library
Overview of electoral systems used across the United Kingdom.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn04458/

2025 Democratic Mayoral Primary Ranked-Choice Results | New York City Board of Elections
Official ranked-choice results from the 2025 mayoral primary.
https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/pdf/election_results/2025/20250624Primary%20Election/rcv/026916_1.html

Electoral College | National Archives
Overview of the Electoral College system.
https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/about

Electoral College FAQs | National Archives
Additional information about Electoral College procedures.
https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/faq

1992 Federal Election Results | Federal Election Commission
Official results from the 1992 presidential election.
https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/federalelections92.pdf

2 U.S.C. § 2c | U.S. House of Representatives
Federal law concerning single-member congressional districts.
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title2-section2c

Electoral System Design Database | International IDEA
Comparative information on electoral systems around the world.
https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/electoral-system-design