How many of you are voting third party (like me) this year? If so, why?

CPL Bobby McKellar — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 12:26:39 -0400

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 29 at 2016 12:30 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 12:30:19 -0400

CPL Bobby McKellar thanks for the read and share!

Response by CPL Bobby McKellar made Oct 29 at 2016 12:36 PM

CPL Bobby McKellar — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 12:36:45 -0400

I believe WE need better representation, NOT because we are "better" or "smarter" (we are though), but because we TRULY care more. As a percentage veterans/military vote more than civilians/non-veterans (52% to 41%). Our percentages are still TOO LOW and we need to encourage each other out there to vote our conscience!

Response by PO2 Marty Sharpe made Oct 29 at 2016 1:31 PM

PO2 Marty Sharpe — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 13:31:03 -0400

Voted split. Went 3rd party for 1 participant. Stayed with the big 2 for the top job. I did not vote for HRC and her gang.

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Oct 29 at 2016 1:34 PM

PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 13:34:01 -0400

Third party vote here in MI. Republican and Democratic candidates are a joke. My question is when did they allow village idiots to run for President? Bet our Forefathers are about to come from the grave and raise the Minutemen to help the people defend our rights against the lies, scandals and and crap these two are doing to our nation.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 29 at 2016 1:35 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 13:35:36 -0400

I looked long and hard at 3rd party and decided that they were no better than the major party candidates. Maybe more "honest" only because they haven't yet been tempted by power, but fundamentally lacking in principles that I can identify with.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Oct 29 at 2016 1:44 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 13:44:46 -0400

Or "How many people are throwing their vote away on someone who has NO chance at becoming President" and many are "I'd rather vote for a traitor, liar, backstabbing woman who wants to go to war with Russia, then Oh, vote for a guy who's kind of an asshole."

Response by SPC Carlos R. made Oct 29 at 2016 2:07 PM

SPC Carlos R. — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 14:07:02 -0400

I am voting for Trump. Not voting or voting for a third party is just allowing Hillary to win.

Response by SSG Eddie Helmling made Oct 29 at 2016 5:06 PM

SSG Eddie Helmling — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 17:06:49 -0400

I may. R and D are easy I dont like ether. third party is to try and help get us and Calif more choices.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2016 6:03 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 18:03:22 -0400

There are only two people with the potential for POTUS.
I do vote third party in local and state elections when I can. Too man of the third party candidates hold positions that I just can't get on board with - and those are their "public" positions...

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Oct 29 at 2016 6:17 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 18:17:14 -0400

In my book voting 3rd Party is better than not voting at all, however to really have any effect on the elections we have two viable candidates. I had a lot of respect for Bernie Sanders because I think he was the most honest of the candidates, even though it was recently reported that he bought a $600,000 house in North Hero Vt. (I thought he was a Socialist-Each according to their needs!) but I did not agree with him on most issues. I am going to vote for the Candidate who supports the issues I care about such as the 2nd Amendment and protecting our borders, I may have to say my prayers as I'm filling out that ballot!!

Response by SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II made Oct 29 at 2016 7:20 PM

SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 19:20:33 -0400

I am voting against Killary Clinton the third parties don't have money to make a political run or win and they won't ever they definitely don't have enough political support. So I am for Trump all the way.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2016 7:21 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 19:21:56 -0400

If every person that said "my vote would be wasted voting third party" voted third party, they'd win. Quit being sheep

Response by PFC Jim Wheeler made Oct 29 at 2016 7:31 PM

PFC Jim Wheeler — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 19:31:51 -0400

I am voting Johnson for a few reasons.

1. I agree with the majority of his platform.

2. I believe him to be honest and trustworthy enough to keep to his campaign promises (to the best of his ability)

3. He has the best chance of any 3rd party candidate of breaking the 5% barrier and receiving funding to help us have better choices in future elections.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 29 at 2016 8:20 PM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 20:20:50 -0400

a vote for a 3rd party is a Vote for HRC... and it is wasted...

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 29 at 2016 8:41 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 20:41:28 -0400

Please bear in mind that with the Electoral System, voting for third party in a Blue state (like CA or NY) is NOT a vote for Sec. Clinton, since there is "no chance" of that state going to Mr. Trump anyways.

Likewise, voting for third party in a Red State will not have the opposite effect.

Anyone who is stating otherwise does not understand how our system works, nor do they care about your vote.

As for whether a third party candidate is viable or not is besides the question. A vote for a specific candidate is a vote for them and only them. Our system has lots of "wasted votes" which equals ALL votes for the losing candidate(s) and all votes in excess needed to win the election (meaning anything over 50% is automatically a "wasted vote" even if it was for the winning candidate).

That said, vote for who you want.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2016 11:58 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 23:58:15 -0400

Voting third party because Hillary is unqualified and Trump's protectionist policies will destroy the economy.

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Oct 30 at 2016 10:03 AM

PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 10:03:56 -0400

I was told that my vote for Johnson is voting Clinton-NO it is MY FREEDOM to vote how I see proper and a 3rd party vote is saying I am sick of the BS that is running for office and I want changes. When the votes are casts and a percentage is 3rd party and NEITHER have the required number, it goes to the House of Representatives and will shake things up and produce discussion like Primaries-FORGET THEM and give people choice like Abe Lincoln's time

Response by CPL Bobby McKellar made Oct 30 at 2016 3:31 PM

CPL Bobby McKellar — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 15:31:58 -0400

I am seeing and reading a LOT of great answers to this question (which is exactly what I expected from this "crowd" on RallyPoint. It is interesting to see the numbers who believe a "THIRD PARTY" vote is a "vote for candidate x" or a "wasted vote". I used to fall into that category myself (especially after the Bush/Clinton/Perot election in 1992). H. Ross Perot held MUCH more sway than any of the current "THIRD PARTY" candidates and the politics of that election cycle were very different.
As for my vote for a "THIRD PARTY" candidate in this election, let me clarify a bit. The state where I reside is SAFELY in the column for Donald Trump however that would not influence me if the reverse were true. I DO THINK if the electoral system of this nation were based on the popular vote that one could say a vote might be "wasted" or essentially be an unintended vote for a candidate that you did not like...BUT then again a "popular vote" or democratic system wouldn't have just TWO major parties representing the people.... The majority of our founders argued against a strict "party system" (especially George Washington) simply because they saw the innate problems caused by such a system. They saw it as no better than the monarchy we railed against. They argued against an "all powerful central or federalize government" for the same reason... That is why we have the electoral system that we have now.
All of that aside...NO VOTE IS EVER WASTED. Voting is RIGHT AND a PRIVILEGE. EXERCISING that right and privilege is something that no other man or woman can question. We can all have our OPINIONS on what does what or how a vote can be "translated" BUT it is nothing more than that, an OPINION.
My opinion on a third party vote (mine will be for Chris Keniston and The Veterans Party of America) is that it will show support for something other than the "status quo". I believe it WILL eventually force the current and continued hard headed belief that the "two party system" is as good as it will ever get and that we are forever saddled with it. Change has to start somewhere and I am not afraid to buck this tired system of status quo.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2016 8:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 08:13:20 -0400

unless you vote in UTAH for third party by all means go for it. Anything to stop Trump from winning.