Community Corner

Is It Time for a Third Party?

Sixty percent of Americans polled say a third major political party is needed. Do you agree, and do you think a third party can make it in today's political arena?

By Patch Editor Jon Gargis

Is it time for the Democrats and Republicans to be joined by a third major political party? A lot of Americans seem to think so.

Amid the government shutdown, Gallup last week reported that 60 percent of Americans polled believe the two major parties are doing a poor job of representing the American people and that a third major party is needed. The 60-percent figure was the highest Gallup had ever received in the 10-year history of the question.

The same poll had 26 percent of respondents saying that Republicans and Democrats adequately represent the American people—a rate Gallup said was a new low.

Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Of those polled, significant numbers of both Republicans and Democrats said a third party is needed. Fifty-two percent of Republicans thought so, while Democrats’ support for a third choice totaled 49 percent. Independents showed a much stronger desire for a new party, though, at 71 percent.

Here’s the question that Gallup posed in the political poll:

Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In your view, do the Republican and Democratic parties do an adequate job of representing the American people, or do they do such a poor job that a third major party is needed?


How would you respond to Gallup’s poll question? Do you want to see a third party emerge, and do you believe a third party can thrive in today’s political environment? Tell us in the comments.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here