In the 2009 governors' election in New Jersey, the state's biggest newspaper the Star Ledger endorsed independent candidate Chris Daggett.
While Daggett did not win the election, he did receive 8 percent of the vote--an astounding amount, particularly in an election that was so closely contended.
Why is it significant that the Star Ledger endorsed Daggett?
It's because a major newspaper, the primary newspaper in NJ households, came out against the establishment and supported a candidate that would ordinarily be considered on the fringe. It also signifies how, when given proper attention, third party candidates thrive.
One of the reasons I can't identify with the two major parties is because I feel that they're so far removed from my daily life that I can't begin to comprehend how to relate to them. During the 2009 election season, I looked a Corzine, a wealthy businessman from a wealthy family and couldn't figure out how he could understand the frustrations that my parents have with rising property taxes. But Daggett seemed more relatable: he'd lived at an income my parents have. He seemed to understand the challenges faces the disappearing middle class in New Jersey.
One of the objections to third party candidates is that they'll never win and the Star Ledger had an answer for that: "But the value of a vote is not limited to picking a winner. The real value lies in the signal it sends about what the voter believes is best for the city, county or state — not merely at the moment, but long-term."
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ballot Access
Perhaps the biggest problem that plagues third parties is ballot access. In order to be put on the ballot in each state, they must meet certain requirements.
One of the frustrations with ballot access laws is that each state is different. Just because a party is on the ballot in New Mexico, for instance, doesn't mean they will make the cut in Montana.
There are organizations that have been established to advocate for better ballot laws. One organization is the Coalition for Free and Open Elections. The Constitution, Green and Libertarian parties are all part of it. The organization uses its power to support legislation that would lessen ballot restrictions. Their first principle is "Full and fair access to the electoral process is a right central to democracy."
Another organization is the Center for Range Voting. Range voting is a complex system (helpful Q & A here for those interested: http://www.rangevoting.org/Faq.html) that I rather not get into right now, but the Center does a lot with ballot access too.
There are some states that have ridiculous laws like Georgia, which requires independent candidates to get 5 percent of registered voters signatures for their petitions.
In order for third parties to be given the chance to thrive, ballot access laws need to become uniform for each state. This will give voters who wish to vote for third party candidates the opportunity to vote for them.
One of the frustrations with ballot access laws is that each state is different. Just because a party is on the ballot in New Mexico, for instance, doesn't mean they will make the cut in Montana.
There are organizations that have been established to advocate for better ballot laws. One organization is the Coalition for Free and Open Elections. The Constitution, Green and Libertarian parties are all part of it. The organization uses its power to support legislation that would lessen ballot restrictions. Their first principle is "Full and fair access to the electoral process is a right central to democracy."
Another organization is the Center for Range Voting. Range voting is a complex system (helpful Q & A here for those interested: http://www.rangevoting.org/Faq.html) that I rather not get into right now, but the Center does a lot with ballot access too.
There are some states that have ridiculous laws like Georgia, which requires independent candidates to get 5 percent of registered voters signatures for their petitions.
In order for third parties to be given the chance to thrive, ballot access laws need to become uniform for each state. This will give voters who wish to vote for third party candidates the opportunity to vote for them.
The Green Party
The Green Party is a party that bases itself on "ecology, social justice, grassroots, democracy and nonviolence." Ralph Nadar was the first person to run on the Green Party ticket for president in 2000, even though the party was officially started in 2001 out of the Association of State Green Parties. He has been one of the politicians most closely associated with the party.
Similar to the Constitution and Libertarian parties, the Green Party is a huge fan of local government and states' rights. They emphasize the power of civic engagement and involvement. They believe that power lies within people who are active in government.
Their policies are outlined in their 10 Key Values. The first value is Grassroots Democracy, where they aim to increase public participation in government activities. This could be as little as signing a petition or attending city council meetings.
Another of the 10 Key Values is Decentralization, where they aim restructure government institutions so that they serve more people. The eighth Key Value is Respect for Diversity. While this may seem like a complex value, like other Green party values, it is simple in how it is carried out: respecting people's differences and incorporating them into current institutions.
A random fact about the Green Party: they support the Puerto Rican movement for independence.
Similar to the Constitution and Libertarian parties, the Green Party is a huge fan of local government and states' rights. They emphasize the power of civic engagement and involvement. They believe that power lies within people who are active in government.
Their policies are outlined in their 10 Key Values. The first value is Grassroots Democracy, where they aim to increase public participation in government activities. This could be as little as signing a petition or attending city council meetings.
Another of the 10 Key Values is Decentralization, where they aim restructure government institutions so that they serve more people. The eighth Key Value is Respect for Diversity. While this may seem like a complex value, like other Green party values, it is simple in how it is carried out: respecting people's differences and incorporating them into current institutions.
A random fact about the Green Party: they support the Puerto Rican movement for independence.
The Constitution Party
The Constitution Party of the United States bases its platform on three elements: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. If a law is created that isn't a product of either of these documents than it is deemed uncool by the Constitution Party.
Like the Libertarians, Constitution party people are big on small government and strong on individual rights. They also seem to invest in a lot of the individual power of the states, which was one of points that the Constitution makes.
The party originally started as the Taxpayer's Party in 1992. In 1999, they changed their name to the Constitution Party. In addition to the Greens and the Libertarians, the Constitution Party makes up the "big three"of the third parties, according to Politics 1, which has been tracking parties for nearly 15 years.
Another element of the party's principles is its unwavering belief in God. Everything ties back to the Christian faith and laws which come from them. For example, under the education section of their platform they state "All teaching is related to basic assumptions about God and man. Education as a whole, therefore, cannot be separated from religious faith."
They also describe Congress as "overpaid, overstuffed, self-serving institution."
Bottom line: If the founding fathers and God doesn't want it, then it isn't cool with the Constitution Party.
Like the Libertarians, Constitution party people are big on small government and strong on individual rights. They also seem to invest in a lot of the individual power of the states, which was one of points that the Constitution makes.
The party originally started as the Taxpayer's Party in 1992. In 1999, they changed their name to the Constitution Party. In addition to the Greens and the Libertarians, the Constitution Party makes up the "big three"of the third parties, according to Politics 1, which has been tracking parties for nearly 15 years.
Another element of the party's principles is its unwavering belief in God. Everything ties back to the Christian faith and laws which come from them. For example, under the education section of their platform they state "All teaching is related to basic assumptions about God and man. Education as a whole, therefore, cannot be separated from religious faith."
They also describe Congress as "overpaid, overstuffed, self-serving institution."
Bottom line: If the founding fathers and God doesn't want it, then it isn't cool with the Constitution Party.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Challenges to Third Party candidates
The scholarly article "Third-party and independent candidates in American politics: Wallace, Anderson and Perot, authors Paul R. Abramson and John H. Aldrich explore the presidential campaigns of three third-party contenders.
The authors identify the electoral college as one of the primary factors in why third parties fail in elections. It is difficult for third-party candidates to get on the ballot in all states, thus reducing the chances that they will receive an electoral majority.
To put it in simple terms: third-party candidates get screwed by a backwards system that just doesn't allow them to adequately run for president.
But this blog isn't supposed to be about the electoral college. There's been many papers written arguing the pros and cons of it, but the system seems to be staying in place.
Third-party candidates are forced to work within a system that is perpetually unfair to them.
Why I love being a Libertarian
The first question on the Libertarian Party's FAQ page is "What is a Libertarian?"
After listing a few beliefs, the section ends with this quote: "In a nutshell, we are advocates for a smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom."
What initially drew me to the Libertarian party is their stance on the first amendment. To borrow a phrase from their FAQ page, Libertarians, in a nutshell, advocate for entire freedom of speech and "oppose any abridgment of the freedom of speech through government censorship, regulation or control..."
Why does this appeal to me? I'm a journalism student and, therefore, a staunch believer in the first amendment. I can't stand to see it threatened and both major political parties have done just that.
But I don't just want to talk about Libertarian principles, because those can be found on their very informative website.
I like saying that I'm a Libertarian. I like the looks I get when I proudly announce that I am a member of a third-party. It's sort of a cross between shocked, and yet, almost appreciative. Not many people believe in third parties enough to become part of one, but I do.
What is the attraction third-party candidates?
For me: two major parties don't meet my beliefs. Also don't like how misconstrued they seem to be from the rest of the population. I voted libertarian because the last presidential candidate, Bob Barr,
The libertarian party is the biggest third party in the United States. Ron Paul, currently running for the Republican nomination, was closely affiliated with the Libertarian party.
I knew that registering as a libertarian would eliminate me from participating in the Republican and Democratic primaries but it did not bother me. The way I figured, I rather add to the libertarian parties numbers than try to align myself than fit with a major party that fit "well enough."
One of the characteristics I admire about third party candidates--and other candidates that aren't necessarily the party's frontrunners--is their perseverance. They don't give up, no matter how badly they get beat in the election. And they always try to reach a minority, something that the major political parties have neglected to do.
Introduction
I have always had an interest in third party politics. There are so many European countries (like Italy) that function with more than two parties. Politics just seem to be more interesting when there are more voices involved.
As a journalism student, I am really intrigued by the way people present their arguments. We are taught, for lack of a better phrase, how to look through the BS for the facts. Politics present an excellent opportunity to use this skill.
Third party candidates seem to express themselves in a different way than more mainstream candidates. They are often more blunt and more upfront in their beliefs. There is still BS there, for sure, but it is different than what the two major parties are presenting.
This blog aims to explore the different third parties that exist in the United States as well as the issues that they represent. While some parties exist solely as populist parties there are others that are trying to break in to more mainstream ideals.
As a journalism student, I am really intrigued by the way people present their arguments. We are taught, for lack of a better phrase, how to look through the BS for the facts. Politics present an excellent opportunity to use this skill.
Third party candidates seem to express themselves in a different way than more mainstream candidates. They are often more blunt and more upfront in their beliefs. There is still BS there, for sure, but it is different than what the two major parties are presenting.
This blog aims to explore the different third parties that exist in the United States as well as the issues that they represent. While some parties exist solely as populist parties there are others that are trying to break in to more mainstream ideals.
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