Fast Forward 04/02/2026

On - Forward Party

Bill —

Americans want elections that are secure and easy to participate in. Mail-in voting is one of the ways we make that possible.

It’s back in the spotlight right now because of a new executive order from President Trump that would limit how states use mail-in voting and add new federal requirements around who can receive a ballot. That kind of top-down change raises real questions, both legal and practical, for states that are responsible for running elections and for voters who rely on these systems.

Before getting lost in the politics of the moment, it’s worth stepping back and looking at how mail-in works, and why so many Americans use it.

Mail-in voting is not new. Americans have been voting by mail for generations, starting with military members serving overseas and expanding over time to include seniors, rural voters, and anyone who needs more flexibility. Today, it is a part of how elections are run across the country. In states like Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Hawaii, elections are conducted almost entirely by mail. Across the country, millions of voters use it every cycle, regardless of party.

In fact, about one in three Americans has voted by mail in recent national elections – including the President himself. That alone tells you something important: this is not a niche system. It is a normal, widely used way Americans participate in democracy.

Security is often where the conversation turns around mail-in ballots. A system only works if people trust it. Mail-in voting includes multiple layers of protection. Ballots are tied to registered voters, signatures are verified, and many states use tracking systems so voters can see when their ballot is sent, received, and counted. Like any system, it is not perfect, but there is no evidence of widespread fraud. What there is, instead, is a system that has been tested at scale and continues to work.

For many people, mail-in voting is not about convenience. It is about access. It allows a parent working two jobs, a senior who cannot stand in line, or a voter living miles from the nearest polling place to still have a voice. For military families and Americans overseas, it is often the only realistic option.

That is why sudden, nationwide changes to the system could cause confusion, disenfranchisement, and barriers to voting. The current proposal would require states to adjust how they administer mail-in voting and who qualifies for it. Even setting aside the legal questions about whether a president can direct those changes, the practical impact could be significant. States would need to rework systems quickly. Voters could face confusion about eligibility. Ballots could be delayed or rejected under new rules.

That is not how you build confidence in elections. It is how you create uncertainty.

At Forward, we believe this should not be an either-or debate. Americans want elections that are both secure and accessible. Those goals are not in conflict. In fact, the best systems do both well. The answer is not to restrict access or to ignore concerns about integrity. It is to improve the system in ways that are transparent, consistent, and based on what actually works.

The bigger issue here is not just mail-in voting. It is whether our political system is focused on serving voters or fighting over the rules of the game. Too often, the conversation is about control instead of outcomes, about process instead of people.

Americans are looking for something different. They want a system that works. They want to know their vote counts and that they have a real voice in the outcome.

That means making it easier for eligible voters to participate while strengthening trust in how elections are run. It means working with states, not around them. And it means focusing on solutions that bring people in, not push them out.

That is how we move forward.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

The next episode of The Forward Party Podcast is now live! In Episode 6, the conversation moves beyond national headlines and into the places where real political change is quietly taking shape. State and local communities are becoming the proving ground for new ideas, fresh leadership, and a growing demand for alternatives to the traditional two-party system. The episode features three voices working at the front lines of that shift: Michelle Quist in Utah, Kayla Sullivan in South Carolina, and Rick Kennedy in Texas. Each brings a different perspective, but together they paint a clear picture of what modern political reform looks like when it starts from the ground up.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

April 8 – Recruiting New Forwardists

The midterm year is upon us and we need as many voters and volunteers as possible to support the incredible candidates we endorse this year! Join Carrie Anne our Head of Volunteer Programs to learn how to help us recruit more supporters. We will go over how to talk about Forward with your friends and family, and how to share your recruitment link so you can earn points that are redeemable for items in our merch shop! Click here for more information and to RSVP.

April 10 – New Mexico Press Event with Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang has a big announcement for New Mexico! Meet us on the steps of the Capitol in Santa Fe to hear from Forward Party co-founder, Andrew Yang. Then, join us for a special evening celebration event in Downtown Albuquerque to meet Andrew in-person for a live Q&A, connect with New Mexico Forward leadership, mingle and meet fellow reform-minded New Mexicans, and learn how to get involved to help grow ballot access and voter choice statewide. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

April 11 – Texas Inaugural State Convention

Join a coalition of independent thinkers for the Texas Forward Party’s Inaugural State Convention—a historic weekend of action, training, and connection in Austin. We are bringing together community leaders from across the state to lower the temperature, break the gridlock, and put power back in the hands of voters.

April 11 – Colorado Forward Party Nominating Convention

On April 11th, the Colorado Forward Party is holding a virtual assembly to nominate candidates for the November ballot and conduct other party business.

April 11 – Forward Party of Utah State Convention

Join Forwardists from across the state and Forward Party Cofounder Andrew Yang for the Forward Party of Utah’s annual State Convention—our biggest gathering of the year. At the convention, attendees will meet and nominate Forward candidates, vote on party priorities, and help shape the direction of the Forward Party of Utah for the year ahead. The program will feature a strong lineup of speakers, thoughtful discussion, and meaningful opportunities for members and supporters to share ideas and perspectives on Utah’s political future.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
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Contrary to what our detractors on social media say, YES, we read!

Kevin Kiley Leaves GOP, Bets on Independent Voters in California’s 6th District

Kevin Kiley spent nine years in California politics as a Republican. He won an election to the State Assembly as a Republican. He ran in the Gavin Newsom recall as a Republican. He won a coveted congressional seat as a Republican and won it again two years later.

But on March 9, 2026, he held a press conference and announced he was breaking up with the GOP.

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The American political landscape is often described as a choice between two sides, but our guest today argues it is actually a closed loop. It is a duopoly designed to protect itself, reward office retention, and keep new ideas off the ballot through complex legal hurdles and massive financial barriers. In this episode, Kevin and John sit down with John Goodwin, Communications Director for the Forward Party. third option than they are of each other.

Colorado’s growing share of unaffiliated voters is making it harder for candidates to get on the ballot

Democratic and Republican candidates collecting signatures to make their party’s primary ballot can only collect signatures from voters in their party. With unaffiliated voters now making up half of the statewide electorate, partisans are harder to find.