Source 1:
The need for a third party to be introduced as a major political party is heavily needed in modern American politics and the voice for one isn’t quiet whatsoever. The two major parties currently dominating American politics consist of the Republicans and the Democrats. The last victory for a third party adversary was George Wallace of the American Independent Party, racking up electoral votes during the election of 1968. Third parties definitely do exist and two popular ones are the Libertarian and the Green Party, but the need for more is highly requested. According to a poll by Gallup News, 38% of Americans believe the current two-party system does an adequate job of representing the people, while 57%, say there is a need for a third major political party. The percentage of Americans wanting a third major political party has been fluctuating between the years around 55-60% since 2013.
Personally, I don’t align with either political party and felt as if the Republican party has abandoned me. I lean more towards the GOP than the Democrats as they’ve been going far too left and they’re too progressive. An introduction of a third choice, or even a fourth, on a ballot would allow more voices to be heard and engage in the republic we’re in. Having to choose between either Democrat or Republican seems obsolete and getting worn out as both parties are beginning to suck. However, this trend of a dominant percentage of Americans wanting a third major political party has been increasing ever since 2012, where it’s lowest was even 45%. In the beginning of the 2016 election, I actually considered myself to align with the GOP and even educating myself as to what the party stood for, but along with many others, I felt abandoned and with the 2020 election coming up, I wish there was a third option that would actually have an impact or at least a seat in any form of government. A representative is the first step, obviously, but having many would be outstanding.
*https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/10/27/poll-americans-say-us-needs-a-third-party
Source 2:
Third-party adversaries in the United States already exist to contest the two-party government system, but only two parties out of many exceeded 100,000 confirmed registrations. This may look like a lot but it’s actually very little in comparison to the two major political parties, the Republican and Democrat party. The Libertarian and Green party are the only parties to exceed this threshold. Many states wouldn’t even include a third party option and stick with only two parties, the obvious choices being the two major parties the dominant the United States. Third parties in the past were able to make strides with gaining electoral votes, seats in the government, etc, but even then some politicians proclaim themselves as independent which lean either Democrat or Republican. That just wouldn’t count, you would, in theory, be a centrist, which is even worse. In a society like today, being a centrist won’t benefit anybody and you’d have to pick a side.
Many different states even have their own registration laws and ballot criteria for a third party to even qualify. The two major parties have no problem getting on the ballot but for a third party to show up, it takes up a lot of funding for your campaign. Candidates for the Reform Party or the Libertarian party were able to show up on ballots across all 50 states, but in some elections, they were limited to 30-45 due to funding. During debates too, some third party candidates are excluded from debates that involve state or even federal elections, not allowing a third party’s voice to be heard or their points to get across. Some may argue, including a third party would polarize the country more, but having to choose between Democrat or Republican is already tearing apart the country by misconceptions about either party. If you’re a Republican you’re immediately called a racist, white supremacist, every word a regular person doesn’t want to be called. If you’re a Democrat you’re a liberal, low IQ, feminist, communist, etc. Both sides are just as bad and inclusion of a third major political party for people to get together and agree with is needed.
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_party_(United_States)
