The 2015 numbers are in for a long-running annual Gallup question about the need for a third major party.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A majority of Americans, 60%, say a third major political party is needed because the Republican and Democratic parties “do such a poor job” of representing the American people. This matches the high set in 2013. Since 2007, a majority of Americans have generally called for a third party, with the exception of the last two presidential election years.
h/t Richard Winger’s Ballot Access News.
Well, I don’t know him personally.
But I do know that in addition to his personal wealth Bloomberg also has the support of many of the AE corporate types. That’s a lot of money and endorsements and media to convince the public that he is viable and there’s already a huge clamoring for an alternative to the duopoly that is well funded and “credible,” and an executive of a city with more people than most states would seem to fit the bill. If the R and D candidates are sufficiently hated, which seems quite plausible, that would add to the incentive for more people to consider him.
if you don’t know Ackman, he’s a leading hedge fund manager. Serious gwap.
It could happen.
kinda interesting:
http://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/06/ackman-bloomberg-will-run-for-president-and-win.html
Only the real ones, not the fake “independents” that are really just Ds and Rs in all but name.
Independents are far more likely to sign petitions to place Libertarians on the ballot, and to listen to what Libertarians have to say, and to vote for Libertarians, than Democrats and Republicans are.
WTF… what was the reasoning?
They’re only “independents” because they think it sounds cool, a lot of them.
jw, do you mean 22%?
I suspect many independents vote R or D depending on the candidate, and they are OK with a 2 party “system.”
“how can 12% of independents not want 3rd party candidates? Hahaha There’s those totally unaware independents.”
Many self-described independents are closet Democrats and Republicans. I’m surprised that percentage isn’t higher.
Allow prisoners to vote? Massachusetts used to do that. The Libertarian Party State Committee of Eli Israel and Carla Howell supported the referendum taking that right away. Liberty for Massachusetts said NO to that referendum.
Jennifer? They think it won’t work? They don’t care?
Glad they realize it, now help fight for it! In the bottom graph, how can 12% of independents not want 3rd party candidates? Hahaha There’s those totally unaware independents.
The time has come for a realignment of parties in America. I’ve written about a first step toward that here: http://vitaminlawyerhealthfreedom.blogspot.com/2013/01/toward-liberty-independent-electoral.html
With all the tens of millions who have been in and out of the criminal “justice” system that adds up to a lot of people.
Also common is the belief that registering to vote will mean being arrested on outstanding warrants (not true; police don’t just get some alert when someone registers to vote or actually votes to go pick them up, and if they were using voting lines to search for routine suspects there would be a huge outcry. Maybe in some extraordinary circumstance like a mass murderer/terrorist on a spree, but not with the routine warrants that people typically worry about).
Another one is that people worry it will put them on jury duty. Lots of government lists are used to compile jury duty lists, not only voter registration anymore; actually voting or signing a petition is not going to make anyone any more likely to be put on jury duty; and jury duty notices are not sent out by registered mail, meaning there is no proof anyone received them, and practically speaking no real consequences for ignoring them – indeed, half are simply thrown out and ignored. And that’s if you think jury duty is something to be avoided; most people don’t know about the real power of the jury to judge the law as well as the facts, though to be fair many people really don’t have the time and may lose their jobs, businesses, relationships etc. if they serve. But then refer above.
That has been my experience as well..
I’ve let a lot of people know they can get their right to vote restored. Of course, the vast majority of people who falsely think they are disenfranchised for life will never hear from me or anyone else that they are wrong about that.
Paulie, Thank you for that!
Sincerely,
Steve Scheetz
Only Maine and Vermont allow prisoners to vote. It’s common in foreign countries, though.
Here’s the breakdown:
http://sentencingproject.org/doc/publications/fd_Felony%20Disenfranchisement%20Laws%20in%20the%20US.pdf
There are, however, many additional people who don’t realize they could now vote again, or that they never actually lost their rights at all. I run into them all the time.
Wang Tang-Fu: I assume you are referring to “felon disenfranchisement”, taking away the right to vote from ex-felons. Actually, very few states permanently take away the right to vote from ex-felons. A few allow felons in prison to vote(!). Most either allow them to vote when released, or when off of parole or supervised release.
Turnout is different in each election. In 2014, probably 60% did not vote. And then you have all the people who are either not registered or not eligible due to some stupid law making a consensual act a crime.
Sometimes minor parties do get votes from a majority or plurality of the voters. Several times recently Libertarian Party nominees for statewide partisan office in Georgia have carried counties, including the state’s most populous county, Fulton, which has most of Atlanta. Also in 2014 a few South Dakota counties voted for one of the Libertarian nominees for lesser statewide office. The Vermont Progressive Party has 8 legislators in office.
Exactly. And I was wrong by the way, 60% is closer to the number of people who do vote.
Every presidential election we hear the same thing: America wants a third party. We have plenty of them, pick one. Bottom line, those clamoring for a third party keep voting for the Democrats and Republicans over and over and over again and again and again.
I’m actually surprised it’s not higher. But I suppose most of that 40% are the ones who think the other party is the devil incarnate and theirs can do no wrong.
Isn’t 60% close to the percentage of Americans who don’t vote?
A better headline “Gallup: 4 in 10 Americans are useful idiots”.
Then they should vote for third parties.