Breaking the Cycle: A Path to Nonpartisan Election Reform w/Nick Troiano, Executive Director, Uni...

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This episode of features a conversation with Nick Troiano, the founding executive director of Unite America. Nick discusses the organization's mission to foster a more functional and representative government through nonpartisan election reform. He highlights the importance of changing the election process to break the cycle of polarization and dysfunction in politics, emphasizing that the current system rewards divisiveness and is not representative of the majority of Americans.

The discussion delves into the specifics of election reform, such as the adoption of nonpartisan primaries and ranked-choice voting, as exemplified by Alaska's election system. Nick argues that these reforms can lead to more broadly representative candidates and allow voters to hold elected officials accountable. The episode underscores the critical role of citizen engagement in initiating change and challenges the notion that the current state of politics is unchangeable.

To learn more about Unite America visit their website

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Guest Bio:

Nick Troiano is a civic entrepreneur based in Denver, CO. He is the Executive Director of Unite America, a national organization that works to bridge the growing partisan divide by enacting political reforms and electing candidates who put people over party.

Nick is active in leading efforts and supporting organizations that are aimed at strengthening American democracy and tackling our country's most pressing challenges. Previously, Nick worked for Change.org on Change Politics – a non-partisan platform that empowers citizens to make informed decisions on Election Day. In 2016, he was named to the "Forbes 30 Under 30" for Law & Policy.

Nick ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014 from Pennsylvania’s 10th District and drew national attention as both the youngest candidate and the most successful independent of the cycle, garnering over 22,000 votes. In 2012, Nick co-founded The Can Kicks Back campaign to advocate for bipartisan policies to reduce the national debt and was instrumental in the introduction of the INFORM Act to increase transparency in the federal budget. Previously, he served as National Campus Director for Americans Elect where he organized and supported student groups at over 300 colleges nationwide.

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She DoesWhy Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org

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