Why aren't third party candidates gaining any popularity?

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vertesi replied on Sat, Oct 4 2008 2:22 AM

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I'm a fan of IRV too... and correspondingly a supporter of fairvote.org .  IMHO changing the election system is the only way we will ever break the duopoly.  Under the current system, if your candidate is polling anything less than 40%, he's a spoiler.  You are actually helping the candidate you DISLIKE the most, because your second choice isn't getting your vote.    This puts voters in a tough spot - do I vote with my beliefs, even though that helps the guy I HATE get into office?  Or do I "hold my nose" and vote to make sure that the worst of the worst doesn't get in?

3rd parties are only as useful as non-profit ideology advocacy groups.   They have no chance of winning, but they CAN spread the message a little.