Voters have an opportunity with many seats in local elections. We can vote for more than one candidate. For example, each voter in Waterford will have the ability to vote for five or six candidates, depending on the district, to represent them on the RTM. Since no major party is running that many candidates in any district, residents now have the ability to vote for their party and for third-party candidates without spoiling the election. 

Over many years, from Ross Perot to Ralph Nader, voters have wanted to vote for third-party candidates but have been afraid to spoil an election for the major party with which they mildly agree. A 2014 Gallup Poll shows that approximately 58 percent of U.S. citizens want to see more than two parties become viable options in elections. If you belong to that 58 percent, vote for third-party candidates at the local level, where you can’t spoil the election! Only then can third-parties begin to grow on state and federal levels. 

I hope that residents of Waterford will consider including Green Party candidates in their vote so that third parties can grow and Waterford can have new ideas and perspectives voiced in the town government.

Joshua Kelly

Waterford