On December 17, four Republican members of the U.S. House broke with their own party and signed the discharge petition so that the House can vote on extending Obamacare premium subsidies. See this story. The four include three Pennsylvanians and one New Yorker. They are Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan, Ryan Mackenzie, and Mike Lawler.

All four congressmembers are from states with closed primaries.

Over and over, opponents of closed primaries preach that closed primaries produce extremist politicians.

Independent Indiana, a new group, will lobby to eliminate the straight-ticket device that Indiana has had since 1889. It will also work for easier ballot access. See this story.

This Politico story explores the possibility that the California top-two system might create a November 2026 ballot with only two Republicans on the ballot for Governor. The story does not mention the idea that the legislature could amend the election law to legalize write-in voting in general elections for top-two offices. California already has write-in space for other types of elections.