At the first presidential debate of 2016 on September 26, two candidates will stand on the stage. While we must pay attention to the topics discussed, points made and positions stated at this event, one of the most important things to remember is the two candidates standing behind those podiums. Just two.
Yes, Gary Johnson and Jill Stein are running for president. However, in the five national polls used by the Commission of Presidential Debates, Gary Johnson reached 8.4 percent and Jill Stein reached 3.2 percent, each below the 15 percent minimum required to participate in the debate.
A third party candidate is not winning this election.
The numbers show that they just don't have a chance. That doesn't mean that they should drop out. The ideas that they have, the positions they take and the causes they fight for are often important matters that impact the discussions within the election. However, they are not going to win the election, and we should not vote for them.
This sucks. I get it. I too am incredibly frustrated with the two-party system in our country. This dichotomous system that allows no room for the underdogs is unfair and corrupt and infuriating. Voting for a third party candidate may make a bit of a statement. If we can get Gary Johnson or Jill Stein to have a larger minority (but still a minority) of the votes, we might be able to pave the way for third party candidates in the future to have a greater chance. Right? ...Not really.
In 1992 Ross Perot ran as an Independent and received 18.91 percent of the popular vote in the presidential election. This is the largest percentage of votes that any third party presidential candidate has received since 1912. Ross Perot did not receive any electoral votes, but he showed that a third party candidate could get on the ballot and earn a respectable percentage of the popular vote. However, this didn't change anything. Since 1992, no third party presidential candidate has received more than three percent of the popular vote.
Voting for a third party candidate didn't change the system then, and it won't change it now. This two-party system has to be broken up from the inside out. Policy and laws, especially about campaign financing, need to be reformed. This change needs to come from inside Capital Hill. If you want third party candidates to have fair opportunities to get in the White House in future elections, vote for a candidate this election who has a legitimate chance of being elected, and has plans to do something about campaign financing.
Believe me, I understand that it can be difficult to decide who to vote for. Many people are going to give up their right to vote or vote for a third party candidate in this election because they don't want to "choose between the lesser of two evils." But if refusing to choose between the lesser of two evils means ultimately being given the greater of two evils, what's the point?
Our next president is going to be either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. If you don't vote for one of them, whichever of those names makes you cringe more has a greater chance of being elected.
Think about your future and the future of everyone, especially young people. Please vote. As much as it may feel wrong to you, please be responsible and vote for one of the two candidates standing on the stage at the presidential debate.
