Today's stories include quotes from Lynn Hudnell, Carol Timko, Elaina Holstrin, Candis Roby, Gail Robertson & Eric Bronner. If you'd like to share your own thoughts and be featured in a future release, click here to share your story.

Last week, just after Joe Biden announced he would not seek the Democratic nomination, I asked you a simple question: how should a new candidate be chosen?

I heard from dozens of you. Today, you'll hear what I heard, and you'll also hear an exciting update about what we're doing with your answers.

And if you want to be featured in next week's email, click this pretty pink button:

Share: Why Are You an Independent Voter?

We heard tons of incredible answers from you and the community. Your answers tended to land into three buckets.

You almost universally supported either a flash or quickly recapitulated primary process, or an open convention.

A small minority supported a direct transition to Kamala Harris’s campaign. Okay, "small minority" is a bit lavish. Two. Two of you supported this option. 

And many of you are concerned that the Democratic Convention as currently conceived is unlikely to be a truly open process, and party leaders will force, exclude or otherwise convince potential challengers out of the race.

In favor of a flash primary, you had this to say:

“Hold a debate and a democratic vote across the country. This a rare moment and needs to be handled properly and fairly.”

-Lynn Hudnell

“Let the citizens decide with a separate vote.”

-Carol Timko

“I think there should be a mini-primary, but if potential candidates fear the powers that be in the Democratic party, at least there should be debates between the people looking to become vice president. Let the delegates vote between those who have gotten a thumbs up from the vetting committee. In this instance, the choice should not be that of the coronated presidential candidate.”

-Elaina Holstrin

Many of you also supported an open convention. Candis, Gail and Eric were particularly articulate on this option: 

"I prefer an open convention. Since I live in Florida, I never got to vote in the Democratic primary, and now feel cheated if Harris is forced on us."

-Candis Roby

"Harris is the clear candidate to defeat Trump. That is the paramount issue now. It appears most major Dems are backing her. Let them push for a consensus at the Convention."

-Gail Robertson

“If the Democrats want to earn trust and be democratic, they should do an open convention, and have at least 5 different potential candidates compete at an Open Convention to get a strong, consensus winner.”

-Eric Bronner

Independent voters don't often get to talk openly like this. When we do, we're often chastised, dismissed or ignored. That's why what we're creating here is so important: this community advocates listening to independent voters.

Which leads us to an exciting update: shortly before you received this email, we sent a press release about this survey to major publications across the United States. The goal? We want independent voices to be part of this deeply important, rare moment in American history.

If you believe building a community of silenced independent voters matters, please know that any contribution - big or small helps us keep up the work of building a unique and totally new community for independent voters. Please contribute today - it means everything for the future of this community.

Contribute: Support Independent Voters

Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Will Conway

Campaign Director - LetUsVote