Gallup released a poll showing 60 percent of Americans now recognize the need for a third political party. This number represents the highest proportion of voters since Gallup started asking the voters this question in 2003.

Breaking down the numbers further, an overwhelming majority of Independents, 71 percent, see the need for additional choices on Election Day. In fact, a slight majority of Republicans (52 percent), and almost half of Democrats (49 percent) agree Americans need a viable and well-known third political party on the ballot. Furthermore, only about one in four (26 percent) of respondents believe the Republicans and Democrats still adequately address the needs and represent the opinions of their constituents.

However, undeterred by the voices of the voters, the states of Ohio and Virginia have both blatantly ignored the needs of Americans to have additional choices on the ballot on Election Day. In October 2013, each of these states took steps to further reinforce the dominance of the Democratic and Republican Parties — in an attempt to thwart the growing segment of voters who refuse to support either half of the nation’s established political duopoly.

Americans leaving both major parties in large numbers

While the numbers of Americans belonging to the Democratic or Republican Parties have fallen steadily in recent years, the October 2013 government shut down, and the blame game going on between the two sides in DC, have combined to further alienate the voters from both parties. The fastest rising group of voters now label themselves as “Independent” or NPA (No Party Affiliation). Among established “minor” political parties in America, the Libertarian Party best exhibits rapid growth in the number of members since 2008.

In addition to the Libertarian Party, the Green Party also gaining voters who no longer feel represented by the Democrats or the Republicans. Also worthy of merit is the increase in popularity of the Constitution Party and the Justice Party. The recent rise of these “minor” political parties in the U.S. is clearly evident from the decision by Free and Equal in October 2012 to host the first ever Third-Party Presidential Debate. This event, hosted by Larry King, was broadcast across America on C-Span.

Third-Party Presidential Debates were a huge success

The Libertarian Party’s Gary Johnson, the Green Party’s Jill Stein, the Constitution Party’s Virgil Goode, and the Justice Party’s Rocky Anderson all participated in this historic event. Free and Equal invited Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. However, neither “major” candidate accepted the invitation. Obama and Romney each preferred the manipulated and pre-determined arrangements agreed on by the Commission on Presidential Debates – operated and controlled solely by and for the Democratic and Republican Parties.

Just days before the election, Ralph Nader hosted his own third-party debate, which once again included all four candidates from the Free and Equal Debate. Free and Equal wrapped up the third-party debates by inviting Libertarian Party Candidate Gary Johnson and Green Party Candidate Jill Stein for a “runoff” debate between the two candidates (viewers selected Johnson and Stein over the other Anderson and Goode in the first round of contests).

To learn more about Free and Equal, and its goals of ensuring Americans are fully informed about all of the candidates campaigning for political office, please visit the organization’s website and Facebook page.