As millennials, this may be your first time voting for a presidential candidate.
If you just pay attention to the television, you’ll know that the only two candidates in the running are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. That’s it. (Since you currently have access to the internet, I do hope you know that isn’t true.)
The media are telling us that Clinton is lying and Trump is good at being full of himself and offensively grouping minorities
However, because I know that you have access to the internet, I can only assume your opinions have been broadened by your own personal research.
A simple Google search for 2016 Presidential Election turns up many results featuring Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, but that’s it.
The massive presence of those two candidates have left some people hopeless, and, from their standpoint, trying to decide on the lesser of two evils.
My goal for this article is to introduce you to some of the third party candidates for the presidency, with the hope that further research shows voters that they do not only have two options. I added links to websites for two third parties and their candidates, and hope that those help explain the stances of each candidate to let you make your own decisions. With a large number of Americans not preferring either candidate, voters may get stuck in a cyclical argument, saying a vote for a third party won’t count because they believe they will not win. However, not voting is also frowned upon, so they will pick the lesser of two evils.
That’s where our first third party candidate comes in. From the Green Party, Jill Stein.
The Green Party website explains the four pillars that their beliefs are based upon: Peace, Ecology, Social Justice, and Democracy. Their website also explains their 10 Key Values, which include Grassroots Democracy, Respect for Diversity, and Future Focus and Sustainability.
Recently, Stein voiced that democracy should be allowed more choices than just the two major parties.
Imagine going into the voting booth & voting for the vision of the future you truly want. That's what actual democracy feels like. 🗳
— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) June 12, 2016
Another candidate for the 2016 presidency comes from the Libertarian Party is Gary Johnson.
The Libertarian Party party stands on the idea of “Minimum Government, Maximum Freedom”. Their website explains their beliefs in America’s heritage, being free and independent, caring for people, as well as other beliefs.
Johnson has also explained his frustration with trying to show voters more than two options.
"Stossel: No, not Trump or Clinton. Voters really do have another choice." @JohnStossel is right. https://t.co/O5p4CwAHST #libertarian
— Gov. Gary Johnson (@GovGaryJohnson) June 8, 2016
Both of these candidates, as well as the more well known ones, are included on I Side With, a popular quiz website that shows the candidate that best matches your positions. It is important to feel confident in the candidate you vote for, and this quiz can help with that.
Every election is important, and it is important to feel confident in your vote.
