Democratic Cynicalism
Rookie
Posts: 21
|
 |
« on: March 24, 2016, 05:22:54 AM » |
|
The level to which both major parties in the US have arranged electoral laws to significantly privilege themselves over all independent/third-party candidates is well documented. Ballot access laws in various states make third party candidacies basically doomed from the start. In light of that, how are candidates and voters whose views largely fall outside of the Republican/Democratic political spectrum meant to realistically advocate their views, save for running on a major party ticket?
It cuts both ways, too. How many Klansmen and embarrassing racists would run in Republican primaries if ballot access laws were opened up and those people were allowed their own party?
When you restrict ballot access you force people who don't really share your party's values or interests to run in YOUR party's races, as long as their values are closer to your party's than the other's. You either widen ballot access laws or you learn to live with it.
|
