No, actually we’re not. Ranked Choice Voting is a crucial piece of democracy reform that’s having quite an impact around the nation, and it’s one many of us are excited about - because it’s a powerful innovation, and because it helps us to work towards the thriving democracy that our party so values. But it is not the be-all, end-all of the Forward Party.

We are not a one-issue party, and we understand that many voters have much more than voting reform on the mind. Our candidates have big and bold ideas on the economy, immigration, education, and so much more, and we owe it to them to uplift those ideas. Because at the end of the day, we need to demonstrate that, not only would it be nicer if our democracy welcomed more voices to the table, but it would lead to better solutions for all.

Moreover, Ranked Choice Voting is not the only democracy reform out there, and it’s not even the only alternative voting system worth paying attention to. Approval Voting, STAR Voting, and others all have unique appeals, and all may have states or districts where they are going to be either more appealing to constituents or more politically viable due to laws and regulations. The Forward Party is not interested in pushing top-down policy and purity-testing on it, and we make no exception here.  

The power and influence of money in politics is indeed a big issue, and one of the major drivers of our current troubles. And while we do encourage efforts for reform in this field, it’s not a problem that can be solved easily, and it’s crucial for our party to plan to compete strategically within the current system.

That means, first of all, knowing where to aim and when. Our emphasis on building up through local leadership is a major facet of our grassroots philosophy, which also means that many of the early races we face will have a lower  monetary barrier. Rather than start by aiming at the presidency as many third-party efforts do (and Forward has no intention of running a candidate in 2024), we want to focus on building up credibility first.

We also intend to take strategic advantage of many of the non-monetary resources available to us, and there are quite a few. Our prominent ambassadors give us a strong head start as far as social media presence and visibility, compared to most any new party effort. The rapid, recent rise of independent media channels gives us a tremendous avenue to share out our ideas and our duopoly-breaking spirit. And the toxic brand and dismal popularity of our major parties is one thing that no amount of money can cover up.

Finally, it’s worth noting here that we take our fundraising apparatus seriously, and we do appreciate all of the support we can get. If you'd like to be a part of the Forward movement, please consider making a donation today. 

No. While the issue of the spoiler effect does tend to get played up by the major parties to scare voters away from voting for new voices, we do understand people’s worries about throwing votes away, and we intend to act strategically so as not to put voters in such a situation.

That means we’re going to support efforts for structural reform, like alternative voting systems and open primaries, that allow for fairer and more open competition without spoiler worries. And where these reforms are in place, we’re going to make the most of them by bringing refreshing new voices to the stage.

It also means, most critically, that we’ll be focusing on the some-70% of political contests in our nation (and many in our state) that are uncontested, as well as those where lopsided party enrollment makes a D vs. R race a done deal. In races like these, there’s simply nothing to spoil, and our presence would be creating needed competition rather than getting in the way of it.

Yes, we do intend to support candidates in three-way (or more), competitive races. But we are going to be selective with these, emphasizing exceptional candidates (or exceptionally bad duopoly ones) or unique circumstances that give us a clear, strategic pathway to victory. The sour taste of a spoiled outcome has been the ruin of upstart parties in the past, and it’s not one we want to leave our supporters with

More than any previous new party effort, Forward embraces an independent ethos, and a focus on empowering voters through empowering candidates. We don't tell those who fly our banner what to believe or how to think, because we wouldn't want to be told that ourselves. Different ideas, perspectives, and voices, are all welcome, so long as we hold to the shared vision of a problem-solving apparatus that works. 

And the practical outcome of that? We can appeal to the largest and fastest-growing voting bloc in our nation, engaging millions of voices sick of the absurdity of our modern politics. We can even reach longtime partisans, by offering a home for their voices and a way to work towards real and lasting solutions.  

Through this wide appeal and a strategic, practical mindset, we can carve viable pathways to political success. 

As part of the national FWD movement, we believe in innovative, open-minded policymaking, in grace and tolerance in our discourse, and in working together to build powerful, lasting solutions.

At the policy level, we’re a new kind of party that doesn’t have a robust platform with an “answer” to every issue because we believe in a roots-up approach that empowers candidates to bring their own ideas to the table, to find the kind of Forward thinking that works for their constituents and communities. And while our state platform may evolve as we continue to grow, allowing this freedom is an essential part of who we are, and what sets us apart from today’s partisan noise.

As we work on building this party from the ground up, we hope you’ll come along and advocate for the issues you support and be one of the many voices contributing new, innovative ideas on how to improve our democracy.

Yes, we are! In fact, you don't even have to go to the DMV - just register online at RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov. 

We are a politically diverse group of problem solvers frustrated with a broken system, working to build a viable, credible, and durable political alternative within the state of Florida and across the nation. 

Through the vehicle of a political party, we hope to help foster a politics that welcomes new ideas, works effectively toward real solutions, and empowers dynamic leadership at every level.