Rebuilding Trust Through Reform: Reflections from a Conversation with Chuck Todd
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to join the Open Primaries team for a powerful virtual conversation with veteran political journalist Chuck Todd. The discussion tackled one of the most urgent civic questions of our time:
Where do we go when people lose trust in our institutions—government, media, even the American Dream?
Hosted as part of Open Primaries’ Primary Buzz Discussion Series, the session invited leaders and reformers from across the country to examine the deep structural issues undermining American democracy—and to consider how thoughtful reform could help rebuild civic trust, boost voter participation, and open up space for more collaborative problem-solving.
A Timely Voice for a Fractured Moment
Chuck Todd recently stepped away from NBC News after nearly two decades, including a decade moderating Meet the Press. Reflecting on that transition, he shared this insight:
“National media can’t win trust back without having a robust partner locally. People are craving community—and that’s something national media or the major social media companies can’t do as well as local media. If you do this job seeking popularity, or to simply be an activist, you are doing this job incorrectly.”
In a moment where traditional institutions—from Congress to the press—are struggling to maintain legitimacy, Todd’s message was clear: reform is not just necessary—it’s urgent.
Announcing his new “Toddcast,” Chuck Todd shared some interesting opinions on trust, reform and the future of America.
1. Act Now: History Shows Us the Path
Todd began by drawing a powerful historical parallel between today’s political climate and earlier periods of division—specifically, Reconstruction (1865–1877) and the Gilded Age (1870s–1900).
Reconstruction followed the Civil War and aimed to rebuild the South and extend civil rights. It also faced fierce resistance and political backlash.
The Gilded Age saw rapid industrialization and economic growth—but also rising inequality and political corruption. Reform movements emerged in response, shaping labor laws, campaign finance rules, and democratic access.
Todd argued that we are now in a new era of institutional breakdown and public distrust, where the next wave of political reform is not only possible—but necessary. Today’s structural issues—from voting access to the concentration of federal power—require big solutions that make democracy more functional and inclusive.
2. Make Reform Easy to Understand
A major theme of the conversation was how reform efforts gain traction. According to Todd, successful reforms must pass the “dog park test”—in other words, if you can’t explain it casually and clearly, it may struggle to gain public support.
He focused on two key reforms gaining attention nationwide:
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)
Voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no one gets a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed until someone wins. RCV encourages consensus and reduces negative campaigning—but it can be complex to explain.
Open Primaries
All candidates, regardless of party, appear on a single primary ballot. The top vote-getters advance to the general election. This system, used in California and Alaska, broadens voter participation and rewards candidates who appeal beyond their party base.
Todd believes that simple, transparent systems—especially those that give more voters a meaningful say—can help restore faith in the process.
3. Expand Representation and Rebalance Power
Todd expressed concern about the growing dominance of the executive branch and the diminishing role of Congress. One bold idea he proposed? Expanding the U.S. House of Representatives.
Currently, each House member represents roughly 750,000 people. Todd advocated shifting to one representative per 400,000 people, which would increase the House to around 800 members. He explained that this change could:
Reduce the chances of Electoral College–Popular Vote mismatches
Diminish the disproportionate power of small states
Shrink congressional districts, making representatives more accountable
Weaken the impact of gerrymandering
Todd used Arlington, Texas—a city of 400,000—as a model for communities that deserve direct representation but currently don’t have it.
4. Lower Barriers for Independent Candidates
A highlight of the session was a discussion on ballot access for independent candidates, including a conversation with a former campaign manager for Dan Osborne, an independent congressional candidate from Nebraska.
Todd argued that the U.S. political system creates significant barriers for non-party-affiliated candidates—complex filing rules, expensive signature requirements, and limited access to debates. He called these restrictions “modern-day poll taxes” that keep viable candidates out of the race.
"We're a four-party country shoved into a two-party system," Todd said.
His takeaway: If we lower the barriers, more qualified and compelling independent candidates will run—leading to more competition, fresh ideas, and greater public trust.
5. Build Reform Around Community, Not Partisanship
Throughout the discussion, Todd returned to a central theme: Reform should not be about helping one party win—it should be about strengthening democracy.
“You earn trust. You don't build trust,” Todd said.
He stressed the importance of local engagement, community-driven journalism, and civic trust-building. National politics alone can’t restore faith in our institutions.
Reform has to be rooted in neighborhoods, cities, and workplaces. (And IGCI couldn’t agree more!)
Final Reflection
At a time when many Americans feel politically homeless or disillusioned, Todd’s insights reminded me that hope lies in structure. The design of our political system shapes who shows up, what ideas get through, and whether voters believe their voice matters.
“All lasting political solutions begin from the middle out,” Todd reminded us. “If we want democracy to work better, we need to offer more ways for people to show up—and more reasons for them to believe it matters.”
Disclaimer: This post reflects a summary of the Open Primaries Virtual Discussion with Chuck Todd. The IGC Institute does not endorse any political party or candidate. Our mission is to foster nonpartisan civic learning and engagement—especially in the workplace.