Expanding Voting Options in Local Elections with Bridget Myers and John Lembke

The modern political landscape often feels like a choice between two extremes, leaving a vast number of Americans feeling politically homeless. While the national spotlight stays fixed on partisan gridlock in D.C., a growing movement is shifting the focus back to where politics actually begins: our local communities.In this episode, Kevin and John sit down with Bridget Myers and John Lembke from the Colorado chapter of the Forward Party. They break down the mechanics of the "two-party doom loop" and explain how structural reforms like Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) can eliminate the spoiler effect, allowing voters to support candidates they actually believe in without fear.From the challenges of getting a minor party on the ballot to specific local issues like housing density and campaign finance reform, this conversation explores what it takes to prioritize data-driven solutions over emotional rhetoric. It is a look at how we can stop hate voting and start building a system that delivers actual results.Connect with our Guests:Colorado Forward Party: https://www.coloradoforwardparty.com/Forward Party National: https://www.forwardparty.com/Contact Bridget Myers: Email for Bridget Myers: [email protected] Lembke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lembke/Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 – Bunker beards and the rising cost of beard oil 02:54 – Headlines: The redistricting drama in Virginia 05:38 – Introducing Bridget Myers and John Lembke 08:33 – From engineering to politics: John’s impetus for change 10:33 – Why Bridget traded physical therapy for political science 13:33 – Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) explained 17:15 – The "Longmont Example" of the vote-splitting effect 21:20 – How to change a city charter for voting reform 26:28 – Dennis Rodman’s take on the political duopoly 31:14 – How the Forward Party got on the ballot in Colorado 34:54 – Multi-winner districts and ending gerrymandering 38:40 – Addressing local issues: The reality of housing46:25 – The business of complaining vs. the business of solving 56:45 – How to get involved with the Forward movement#weneedarevolution #forwardparty #coloradopolitics #rankedchoicevoting #politicalreform #thirdparty #localgovernment #nonpartisan #politics2026