With both mainstream party candidates facing unprecedented levels of unfavorably, many Americans have begun to investigate options outside of the two-party system, which has dominated American politics since the late 19th century.
This growing trend can be seen on our own campus, as two new political organizations have come into existence with the start of this semester, the Capital University Campus Greens, and the College Libertarians of Capital University.
“[Campus Greens aims] to bring awareness to third party politics, especially on the far left, where we definitely see a surge … but don’t necessarily see anyone … as being prominent,” said Aaron Suárez, sophomore political science major and president of campus greens.
Campus Greens supports the national Green Party, which was founded in 1985 and has since claimed several electoral victories in local and state elections. Suárez also plans on working with the Ohio Green Party, as well as the Bexley community.
The Green Party platform focuses on demilitarization, environmental sustainability, and working to lessen the effects of racism and sexism in society.
In June, the party nominated Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka as their presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively. A recent Pew Research poll estimated that 4% of voters support the Stein-Baraka ticket.
“[We seek] to bring awareness to liberal third parties in America, as well as the necessity of caring for the environment and the world we live in,” Suárez said. “[We also emphasize] that we are just renting the earth from our children and grandchildren, [and that] we need to take care of it for when they inherit it.”
Along with the Ohio Green Party, Campus Greens will be hosting Jill Stein on campus this Friday, September 2. She will speak at noon on Shaaff lawn.
The group also seeks to establish a community garden, and advocate for increased energy awareness and the utilization of locally grown produce on campus.
Suárez hopes that the garden will build camaraderie between students and the larger Bexley community, and that energy awareness campaigns and facilities upgrades will pass savings onto students as the campus’s use of fossil fuels decreases.
When asked about partnering with other political organizations on campus, Suárez said, “I would love to see the College Dems and College Greens work together. I think … we share enough that we can definitely collaborate on some events.”
More information about Capital University Campus Greens can be found by contacting Aaron Suárez at asuarez2@capital.edu.
The other political organization new to campus, College Libertarians, is led by Cogan Bishop, a junior accounting major.
“I think Capital students should care about [College Libertarians] because in an election season that has been fraught with so much hatred for both candidates … they need to know that, A, there is a third choice, and B, that even outside [of] this election season, there are other choices of political movements besides Republicans and Democrats,” Bishop said.
College Libertarians supports the national Libertarian Party, which was founded in 1971. The party has nominated two former Republican state governors, Gary Johnson and William Weld as their presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively. A recent Pew Research poll estimated that the Johnson-Weld ticket is supported by approximately 10% of voters.
“I don’t believe that you can … encapsulate a full political spectrum with only two parties,” Bishop said. “[We aim] to spread the message of Libertarianism to college students who, probably because of their … background, or media bias, have not been given a clear image of what Libertarianism actually is.”
The Libertarian Party platform focuses on lessening the influence and size of the federal government, an open immigration policy, free trade, expanded civil liberties, and the decriminalization of drugs.
In terms of activities on campus, College Libertarians plans to hosting a debate series with College Democrats and College Republicans later this semester.
They also plan to bring Libertarian speakers to campus, such as Adam Kokesh, who is notable for being arrested by Washington D.C. police for civil disobedience against the Iraq War.
“We will be willing to work with any [organization] that is willing to have views similar to our own,” Bishop said. “For example, Democrats for social issues, like drug policy, [and] Republicans on economics or second amendment rights.”
Those seeking to learn more about College Libertarians are invited to attend the organization’s bi-weekly meetings, Thursdays at 7 p.m. starting September 2 in Blackmore Library.
Both leaders would like to persuade students to consider a third party option this November, and to motivate voters on campus to be proactive participants in the political process. They also both aim to make their respective organization’s presence felt on campus in 2016 and beyond.
