Basically, voting 3rd party in this system is, in fact, throwing away your vote.
If my preferred party gets more votes this year than they did four years ago, that is a good outcome. Gradually increasing the third-party turnout year over year is how we will chip away at the two-party system.
And if my vote helps my preferred party increase their vote, that is a good use of my vote.
I understand completely, believe me. I’ve done plenty of work for my local Socialist Party branch. I play board games with the local candidate on a regular basis.
I’m still not voting for him for anything. He isn’t voting for himself either. We both know he has 0 chance of winning, partly because he has socialist next to his name, but primarily because he’s a 3rd party that struggles to even get on the local ballots. We still raise awareness and spread our causes, but we live in a state that’s outlawed anything other than first past the post, and we’re both smart enough to know that, mathematically, he stands zero chance.
Well, that’s up to you. But keep organizing. Maybe your local Socialist Party branch will one day have enough members that you feel comfortable voting for them.
If my preferred party gets more votes this year than they did four years ago, that is a good outcome. Gradually increasing the third-party turnout year over year is how we will chip away at the two-party system.
And if my vote helps my preferred party increase their vote, that is a good use of my vote.
I understand completely, believe me. I’ve done plenty of work for my local Socialist Party branch. I play board games with the local candidate on a regular basis.
I’m still not voting for him for anything. He isn’t voting for himself either. We both know he has 0 chance of winning, partly because he has socialist next to his name, but primarily because he’s a 3rd party that struggles to even get on the local ballots. We still raise awareness and spread our causes, but we live in a state that’s outlawed anything other than first past the post, and we’re both smart enough to know that, mathematically, he stands zero chance.
Well, that’s up to you. But keep organizing. Maybe your local Socialist Party branch will one day have enough members that you feel comfortable voting for them.