Most Independents Elected to Statehouses Since 1942

The 25 alternative candidates elected to state legislatures in the 2012 election might not seem like a huge groundswell, but it represents the highest level of independent representation in statehouses since 1942.

This, according to Ballot Access News by way of Political Wire. Ballot Access News reports another interesting fact: “None of the independent and minor party candidates who were elected in 2012 were elected from states with a top-two primary system.”

Also known as the “Cajun” or “jungle” primary (thank you, Wikipedia), such a system tends to favor the Democrats and Republicans because all candidates run in the same pool and only the top two are allowed to go on to the general election.

—Posted by Peter Z. Scheer. Follow him on Twitter: @peesch.

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