With presidential candidate Kamala Harris barely ahead in the national polls, smaller political parties have increased their marketing and added to their campaign, spotlighting the other nominees for President of the United States besides Harris and Donald Trump. Although they are unlikely to win the election, their names will be on ballots in many states, leaving citizens questioning who their other options are.
Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party supports the principle of libertarianism, stating that the government should have less control over citizens’ lives and let them be responsible for themselves while valuing personal and economic liberty, as well as protecting individual rights. The party was first created in 1971 in Westminster, Colorado and reached its peak when it appeared on the ballots of all 50 states. This resulted in their Founder Edward E Clark receiving 921,999 votes, making it the third-largest party in the country. The party is hoping to gain an increase in media attention, better ballot access and more of the party’s candidates in local offices. Their candidate Chase Oliver was named the most “influential libertarian in America” by Rolling Stones. At 39, Oliver is the youngest and only openly gay candidate.
Green Party
The Green Party of the US (GPUS) was founded in 2001 with a dedication to environmentalism. After its formation, it soon became the primary green party in the country, surpassing the Greens/Green Party USA (G/GPUSA) which formed in 1991. They’ve established ties with similar parties globally, who all have a mission of promoting sustainability. They value ecological wisdom, feminism and gender equality, a green environment, as well as numerous other policies. Their leader Jill Stein is a Harvard graduate doctor, an environmental health advocate and an “organizer for people, planet and peace”, according to the biography found on her website. In recent weeks, Stein has been criticized by Democrats for giving Trump an edge in key swing states including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Harris’s party released an ad titled “crucial,” with a message accusing Stein of draining support from Harris and stating that “a vote for Stein is really a vote for Trump.” The clip also includes a video of Trump saying that he likes the Green Party Candidate.
Constitution Party
In 1992 a coalition of American State Parties banded together to form the US Taxpayers Party at its first national convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. The party’s founder Howard Phillips was nominated to be their first presidential candidate when they secured ballot positions in 21 states. In 2000, they changed the party name to the “Constitution Party” to better reflect the party’s goals and values of returning to the U.S. Constitution’s rules and regulations. Their mission is to secure liberty for current and future citizens who uphold the principles of the constitutional documents. Their presidential candidate Randall Allan Terry is the founder of the Anti-abortion group Operation Rescue. According to his website, he’s been arrested 49 times and spent more than one year in various federal, state and local prisons. He has been recognized as a TV guest, author, lecturer, filmmaker, talk show host and musician. Terry’s anti-abortion ad which was aired during “The View” criticized the show’s hosts, with the narrator saying “I am so sick of stupid celebrities and lying journalists,” while showcasing pictures of Whoopi Goldberg, Taylor Swift, Wolf Blitzer and Oprah Winfrey amongst others, while also comparing them to Nazi leaders Joseph Goebbels and Leni Riefenstahl for their views on reproductive rights. Terry has previously stated that the point of these advertisements is to defeat Harris.
Although these third parties have slim odds of winning the 2024 presidential election, they’re committed to voicing their party’s concerns as well as promoting their beliefs and values so that one day, they become more prevalent in American politics.
Written by Suriya Rampersad
