Will 2016 be the year for a Third Party rise?

[Republic of Libertara]

After Trump won Indiana and Cruz dropped google searches for Libertarian and Gary Johnson skyrocketed. The Johnson has been getting more calls then they can handle. This year was the first televised Libertarian Debate and Johnson is polling in the double digits. Its also the first year the LP has ballot access in all 50 states Can and will this be the year for the Libertarian Party? I think this is historical, we might finally get a wench in the 2 party system. Will the Libertarians take this opportunity to rise and become a party that actually compete in elections? Or will the Republican die and be replaced with the Libertarian? Or will the Libertarian party be ignored and lose badly like every year?

[The balkens]

hopefully.

[Washington Resistance Army]

If enough people feel the Johnson, yes.

[Republic of Libertara]

If enough people feel the Johnson, yes.

That sounds more sexually then it should

[The first Galactic Republic]

It might be one of those elections where the third party candidate splits votes enough for an easy Democrat victory.

[Washington Resistance Army]

If enough people feel the Johnson, yes.

That sounds more sexually then it should

Who said it isn't sexual

But yeah, I really hope the Libertarians do great this year.

[Washington Resistance Army]

It might be one of those elections where the third party candidate splits votes enough for an easy Democrat victory.

Johnson actually takes more votes from Clinton than Trump, oddly enough.

[Republic of Libertara]

It might be one of those elections where the third party candidate splits votes enough for an easy Democrat victory.

Libertarians get Democrat votes too

[Republic of Libertara]

That sounds more sexually then it should

Who said it isn't sexual

But yeah, I really hope the Libertarians do great this year.

So do I

[The first Galactic Republic]

So maybe both parties just end up split.

[Republic of Libertara]

So maybe both parties just end up split.

Ive been hearing alot that the Republican party might just die

[Aurea]

I hope so. If it is the Libertarian Party or the Green Party or just an independent, I just hope someone shows that it does not have to be Republican or Democrat forever.

I know that Americans don't back radical political reforms but I will say it anyway: I believe the US should use a model similar to Brazil. The House of Representatives elected on state basis by proportional representation and the Senate elected just like it is now. Then the President elected by popular election and not the electoral college that can sometimes distort or exaggerate results.

But I know I am wasting my breath!

[The first Galactic Republic]

So maybe both parties just end up split.

Ive been hearing alot that the Republican party might just die

Seems unlikely. It may be nudged more far right by Trump supporters, or if Trump loses the Republicans will try as hard as possible to go the other way.

[The New Sea Territory]

No.

[Cymrea]

A third option would be great. The U.S. electoral tradition of two parties is just too limited and has produced terrible choices from both parties of late.

[Aurea]

So maybe both parties just end up split.

That's usually what happens in the 19th century: two big sides faction into smaller sides.... Maybe the USA is just about to catch up?

That would be good though and would allow more diverse representation. The Democratic Party could break into a more right-leaning Social Democratic Party and left-leaning Liberal Democratic Party. The Republican Party could break into a centrist, moderate party and a Conservative Party. It would also mean the Tea Party could breakaway and be laughed into oblivion.

Politics would be more representative and interesting if this happened but.....

[Nordengrund]

I'm sure it is like this every election.

Both candidates suck and people want a third party, yet one of the two main parties still comes out on top. I don't expect this year to be any different.

[Noraika]

I'm not hopeful. The election system in the United States specifically results in extreme favor to the established parties, and, even in cases where public opinion is high for a third party, gerrymandering is rampant, and I see more and more reports of corruption and fraud, and tends to lead to the predictable dominance of one party or another. If the Democratic and Republican parties agree on one thing, it is that they are both very comfortable with retaining their position of power.

Even if the Libertarians, Greens, Socialists, Constitutionalists, Communists, or any other party, was able to get seats, the likelihood is that their presence in the Congress would be about as significant as any other third party that's won seats before, and not be politically significant. That's assuming that Congress does not make elections even more difficult for third parties after that. The only way I can see this changing would be the United States adopting some form of proportional representation.

Especially since, as of the law index by The Economist, United States ratings as a democratic nation have been steadily declining, to the point there now 0.06 points separates the United States from being outright considered a 'Flawed Democracy', and it is lowest scoring nation of the 'Full Democracies'.

[Esternial]

Usually when you get offered an alternative you expect it to be better.

[Republic of Libertara]

Ive been hearing alot that the Republican party might just die

Seems unlikely. It may be nudged more far right by Trump supporters, or if Trump loses the Republicans will try as hard as possible to go the other way.

Just what I heard

[Napkiraly]

A third option would be great. The U.S. electoral tradition of two parties is just too limited and has produced terrible choices from both parties of late.

The US electoral system will, generally, move towards a two-party system. Plurality SMD's have a tendency to produce more or less two-party systems hostile to newer parties, though I agree with Duverger that it also accelerates the demise of weakening parties.

[Cymru Tyn Val]

I doubt it unless Hillary's transcripts leak or Trump gets caught with a prostitute. That being said FeelTheJohnson.

[Napkiraly]

Y'all need something better than FeelTheJohnson just saying.

[The balkens]

Y'all need something better than FeelTheJohnson just saying.

FeeltheGary?

Homie G got your back?

OG Gary Johnson gonna clean up this mutha fucka?

[Washington Resistance Army]

Y'all need something better than FeelTheJohnson just saying.

You're just jealous you don't have such good slogans