This episode of Civic Shift, hosted by Ji-Woo and featuring 2026 Congressional Candidate Felix M. Seier (Maryland’s 3rd District), dives deep into the often-overlooked power of primary elections.

While the general election in November gets the most headlines, the real decisions shaping the ballot happen months earlier. Felix and Ji-Woo break down the different primary systems across the U.S. and explain how understanding your state’s rules—from open primaries to strict registration deadlines—can give you real agency in an unpredictable political year.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Real" Election: In many partisan districts, the winner of the primary is effectively guaranteed to win in November.
• Primary Types:
  • O ...