Legislation and policies are needed that prioritize economic responsibility to ensure the prosperity and well-being of future generations
Some people, like my nephew…, may think that a vote for an Independent candidate is a wasted vote. This is not true. A vote for an Independent candidate is an important step towards a less partisan, more functional, Congress. If enough Independent candidates are elected to Congress such that neither the Democratic or Republican parties hold a majority, then collaboration between at least two of the three factions would be required to vote for a Speaker or pass any legislation. This would help to sideline extremists in the parties and empower bipartisan members intent on common-sense policies and legislation.
If Independent candidates do not win during this election, a strong showing will send a message to major party candidates that business-as-usual partisan politics is no longer acceptable and lay the groundwork for Independent candidates in future elections. A Good Party Politics Team blog [1] lists the following ways Independent candidates impact elections, even if they do not win:
There is a large segment of the population that would like to reduce the political power of the major parties and extreme partisan legislators and include a wider range of voices and ideas in the political discourse. Almost one-third of California voters are not registered with either of the major parties. [2] Most of these voters register No Party Preference and are much more likely to be ideologically moderate than liberal or conservative.
1. "7 Ways Independents Impact Elections – Even if They Don’t Win" https://goodparty.org/blog/article/7-ways-independents-impact-elections
2. "California Voter and Party Profiles" www.ppic.org/publication/california-voter-and-party-profiles/