Third Party Voters Know What They Want Analysis

The American system of government is democratic. Democracy is a form of government in which people choose leaders by voting. In America, they hold elections at the local, state, and federal level. In the elections the voters choose among the leaders of political parties for the open office position. America has two major political parties: Democrat and Republican. There are more political parties than that, but with the way the electoral process works most third parties are doomed to fail since they will not get the popular vote. Though for President and Vice President the popular vote does not matter since the Electoral College chooses the President and Vice President. Many eligible voters have decided to “protest vote” meaning not voting
Roller interviewed more than 30 protest voters. The voters said they believe that both Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton are comparably repulsive candidates, while others believed that they are two sides of the same coin. These voters believed their vote as a way, putting an end to power from the two untrustworthy parties. (cite). Also their vote is their way of giving a message to the parties. Their vote tells the candidates what the voters care about, what concerns them, and what they want. The candidates should do as Roller said, “Better to at least try to sweep them back under the big tent than cast them into the wilderness.” (Cite). Meaning the major party candidates better listen up if they want the votes instead of letting the third party candidates from taking them all or even worse the voters not voting at all. Third party candidates are pressing hard for votes as they look to gain funding that could then make them a legitimate threat to the candidacy. Much can be said that there is an increase in the younger generation voting third party. These voters will be voting for many years to come and do not believe in the same rational or party lines as their parents before them. They are free thinking individuals that want their voices heard. Protest voters are executing their democratic right to vote for who they
The favorable side is portrayed in Emma Roller article which explains how major party candidates should listen and tried to appeal to protest voters. That a majority of third party voters do not follow the same party lines as once did their parents. Since protest voters are still voters or would be voters who still have a voice that needs to be heard. The unfavorable side is portrayed in Matthew Levinger article where he tells his readers to just go to a candidate that has views more in line with your personal values since third party candidates are less likely to win and that it could be worse if a person does not vote or votes for the wrong candidate. Both articles have fair points, but I believed all votes matter and count as long as they are cast. Even if someone does not vote that is signaling that there is a problem that needs to be fixed to earn the vote. “Protest voting” is not a waste of an opportunity to exercise the American democratic right to vote. Regardless of the outcome of the election, the third party is not going away and candidates and voters alike would be best to listen to what they have to say as one day we may see the presidential race will become a