As November is closing in, the heat from the elections seems to counterbalance the cooling weather. So much buzz surrounds the Presidential candidates, their scandals, and their stance on policies in this year’s election. As we are down to Donald Trump as the Republican nominee and Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee, most Americans forget about the third party options. Those options include: Gary Johnson from the Libertarian Party and Jill Stein from the Green Party, as the top contenders.
Majority of Americans overlook the potential options besides the two main political parties. However, I believe this year we will see a rise in numbers of voters who do consider voting for a third party. Yet, when we take a second to analyze what this implies, it is easy to see that we, as a nation, are not happy with the candidates we have produced for presidency. Searching for other options and deriving from the continuously voted political parties, shows that we are not unified on the decisions of whom we want to lead the United States.
I was given an opportunity to talk with other college students on ABC News about the uncertainty of not just older voters but younger college students as well. In this interview, it became relevant that no one is extremely appreciative of the quality of our candidates. The overall attitude was none of us were excited about going out to vote this election. The younger generation seems confused on whom to vote for because it seems scandal after scandal loops around each candidate. Feeling as if the election is a never-ending dramatic reality TV shows, except the sad reality of this is that this is the reality we currently live in.
Historically, college students would vote Democratically, but this year nothing seems to be certain. The only thing known for sure, is that even with the candidate we vote for, there are certain things the voters do not fully appreciate about the contenders. From sexual assaults, email leaks, tax returns, lack of experience and political knowledge and of course the continuous degrading of one another, makes it difficult to pick a candidate to stand 100% behind. In the interview, someone had mentioned, voters seem to be stuck in between voting between the lesser of two evils. The fact that America has come to this point is alarming.
Furthermore, we’ve gotten to the point that voters are not comfortable enough in voting for a third party, because they feel that ‘casting the vote away’ could tip from having a Democratic state go Republican or vice versa. It comes down to either voting with fully heartily in the candidate I want or to vote strategically so the candidate I mostly do not agree with does not become elected. As the candidates have mass opposing views on many political and social stances, that after January when the new president is inaugurated, America will either one extreme of the other.
Voting is ultimately an opinion of what your views are on how you see this nation should be lead. However, I strongly believe that an effort to see each side’s political stance is essential in making a sound vote. Meaning, just because a parent is Democratic, I blindly vote for Hillary or if I previously voted Republican that I feel like I have to vote for Trump. Cast your vote for the candidate, not for the party. Most importantly, take it seriously, because we as a nation are not decided weather we eat pizza or Thai food for dinner but electing a leader that will lead and represent our nation for the next four years. So know your options, do your research and do not forget to VOTE!
Photo credit: ABC News Politics