ABCnews
It’s really a spoiled vote to vote third party. People can whine about how it’s unfair, but it still won’t change anything. Do you really think spoiling your vote will show it to the big guys? Well guess what? Now they’re no longer in power and the other side is rejoicing in their own victory. Meanwhile there are those who understand that they won’t get everything that they want, but at least they won’t have a side that will try to take away their rights by nominating and then confirming a right-wing justice to serve for life on the Supreme Court.
It’s a fundamental problem with a first-past-the-post voting system. Third parties act as spoilers. That’s why I’m a proponent of ranked choice. It’s not a panacea. It doesn’t fix everything, but it removes the spoiler effect. Then people can vote their conscience with their first choice.
It’s not a coincidence that the leadership of both parties hate it. They can’t run a traditional campaign with wedge issues. Good. I’m tired of a divided country. The party leadership can suffer through appealing to a broad part of the electorate.
If you’re in most states your vote will not matter due to electoral votes being all or nothing. Voting third party expresses your dissatisfaction with the major parties and helps to legitimize the third party in the eyes of others so it can have a chance in the future. And yes, everyone will always say this is the most vital election ever.