08-25-2016, 03:19 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-25-2016, 03:51 PM by APeacefulWarrior.)
(08-25-2016, 02:49 PM)Patrick Wrote: So the two party system is not "official". Well that's interesting!
I guess we will probably see record low votes (combined) for the two main parties then in this election.
No, it's not written-in-stone official, but it might as well be. America hasn't really had a viable third party since before the Civil War. Between our use of first-past-the-post voting, and regulations on campaign funding, ballot access, and debate inclusion, it would be all-but impossible for a third party to ever win an election. They're there as a token attempt to pretend we have a multiparty system, but the game is HEAVILY rigged against outsiders. And to make matters worse, from a game theory\rational-actor perspective, the "spoiler candidate problem" reduces their chances even further. Especially after Gore\Bush 2000.
Although I do think you're right that voting turnout will be low. There are a lot of people who are pretty sick of everything about this election cycle. (sigh)