It’s time to give the voters what they want.
- Maryland Forward
- Oct 25
- 1 min read
“A solid majority of Americans continue to say a third major U.S. political party is needed, but several follow-up questions in a recent Gallup survey cast doubt on their commitment to supporting one.
While 55% of Americans say they are at least “somewhat likely” to vote for third-party candidates, only 15% say they are “very likely” to do so. But when asked how they would vote if a third-party candidate they preferred was unlikely to win, more Americans say they would change their vote rather than stick with that candidate. Additionally, nearly six in 10 Americans each are highly concerned that voting for a third-party candidate would result in them wasting their vote on a losing candidate or helping to elect their least preferred candidate.”
Forward Commentary:
This means that the majority of Americans are wanting an alternative to the 2-party system but fear that they’re wasting their vote or helping elect the candidate they like least.
The problem is clearly not with the alternative candidates, but with the system they are in. Anti-democratic practices like closed primaries, gerrymandering, and the use of legislation to limit, impede, or block alternative parties or independent candidates are restricting what Americans are asking for… more choices.
Now is the time to remove these barriers. We need structural electoral reforms to allow for more choices, better access and more voter empowerment. Reforms like:
Single All-candidate Primaries
Independent Redistricting Commissions
Ranked Choice Voting
Legislative Vacancy Reform
Term Limits
It’s time to give the voters what they want.
Read original article here:
Americans See Need for Third Party, but Offer Soft Support
