The Cost of Voting Third Party

As November 5th looms heavily over the country, voters nationwide are feeling the weight of their ballots. In what CNN calls “the closest race for the White House in the past 60 years”, every American's vote matters - but some will matter more than others. Major swing states have the majority of the power to decide who our next president will be, and our very own North Carolina is proving itself to be one of the strongest deciding factors. And in a state with such razor-thin margins, casting a vote for third-party candidates could mean the difference between much needed forward progress and significant setbacks on the issues that matter most in our country. As voting booths open and North Carolinians prepare to cast their vote, it’s crucial for voters to understand and recognize the implications of their choices. A vote for a third-party may seem like a statement of principle, but in reality, it could be nothing more than a reckless gamble that risks the leadership of one of the world's biggest superpowers. 

As North Carolina takes center stage, both Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump's efforts are clear, with a significant amount of rallies and campaign initiatives intensifying all across the state, such as Harris’ aid in packing kits for the distressed areas of the state following Hurricane Helene in October. Many unsure voters may be tempted towards casting support for a third-party candidate as a means of expressing their beliefs or an appeal for change, but this could have serious consequences in an election this close. Voting for a third party often silences one's vote in a system designed to support a two-party model and risks losing an opportunity to make change altogether. With election day just a week away, North Carolina voters should feel their votes will actually make a difference on a wider national landscape and cast a vote which will have an impact on who will become the next president of the United States rather than one which could very well cause this election to become a coin toss. Historically, North Carolina is commonly taken by the Republican candidate (with the last time it swung democratic in the election of 2008); however, this dominance is getting more and more fragile as voters begin to question the results of this in our state. 

The election is heating up, and the stakes in the Tar-Heel state are further intensified by Donald Trump’s endorsement of Mark Robinson, North Carolina's controversial lieutenant governor. Robinson’s history of making offensive and lewd comments online, including some recently discovered shockingly strange remarks about being a “black NAZI,” has brought on outrage and raised serious questions about his suitability with North Carolina residents. As Rep. Jeff Jackson pointed out to CNN, Robinson’s implosion could have ripple effects across the presidential ballot,which could potentially swing North Carolina into a democratic win. While Trump has praised Robinson as a formidable candidate, even referring to him as “better than Martin Luther King”, his endorsement might backfire, pushing swing voters or even those who typically take a republican stance to reinforce Democratic support. With Trump’s campaign seemingly steering away and distancing itself from Robinson in light of the recent advancements, it still leaves Americans wondering: can we really trust a reckless man like Donald Trump as president while he turns a blind eye to serious allegations of racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia? And based on his track record, how can we be sure these things won’t further impact his policies? Robinson’s presence and refusal to drop the race for NC governor could be just what Democrats need to rally voters who are tired of the toxic politics that have come to define the modern Republican stance. 

The results of this election will continue to affect our country for years to come, with certain policies even impacting our country past the next president's four years in office, and casting a vote for a third-party candidate could become responsible give power to a Republican party that has shown a terrifying willingness to embrace dangerous rhetoric and policies. With people like Trump leading the charge, we must confront the reality that his politics not only undermine democratic values but also poses a threat to the progress we - along with our ancestors - have fought so hard to achieve. Supporting third-parties may feel like a protest, but in this crucial moment, it risks enabling a return to policies and attitudes that have degraded so many Americans. This election is not the time to gamble with the future; it’s a time to ensure that every voter contributes to positive development in our country.