With Election Day less than a week away, it’s important for students to realize that candidate options extend beyond the popular Democratic and Republican parties.

Though there is no doubt that these two parties regularly control the polls, third party candidates can collect a significant percentage of votes as well.

This year, the Green, Constitution and Libertarian parties have all put forth candidates in some of the top races of the election. On campus, however, the presence of these parties is much smaller, leaving some students wondering what options exist outside of the standard two-party perception. Well never fear, Third Parties: 101 is here.

Constitution Party

“Following the original intent of the US Constitution” –Robert Owens

Think back to elementary school history class. Remember all those old documents written by the founding fathers that teachers flooded your brain with? The Constitution Party is making them cool again.

Robert Owens, the Constitution Party’s candidate for Ohio’s attorney general, follows the values of the party because he feels federal government has grown too large and has taken on too many roles.

“Government at the federal level is limited to the enumerated powers of Article 1 Section 8 [of The Constitution],” Owens said. “We really need to keep things local and accountable.end of QUOTE…

NEEDS A .”

For readers who haven’t brushed up on their Constitution trivia lately, this section of the document lists each specific power the federal government holds.

Owens said government regulations have caused some of the problems with the job market today, leaving students with fewer job options upon graduation.

“The government is getting involved in things that they should not be involved in,” Owens said. “What we seek to do is to limit the role of the federal government so that private industry can actually flourish and create jobs and business opportunities for college graduates to enjoy.”

By stressing states’ rights and upholding principles from early government documents, the Constitution Party offers students an option dedicated to returning politics to what the founding fathers intended.

Owens wants students to consider these things and really do their homework when choosing which party to associate with.

“Don’t just rely on what you see on ABC New or what the major parties are telling you,” he said. “It’s important to really dig into it, get involved and read The Constitution.”

Other Constitution Party candidates you may recognize:

Eric Deaton for US Senate

Daniel Cartwright for 68th District Representative

Green Party

“The party of progressive liberals” –Dennis Spisak

While Constitution Party members campaign for less government involvement, Green Party members see a need for more government help.

Though the party generally places a very strong focus on environmental issues, (which is reflected in its “green” name) another major issue supported by gubernatorial candidate Dennis Spisak is the need for a better education system.

“We’re a big proponent of supporting and looking for more government support of primary, secondary and higher education,” Spisak said. “We believe that the state has not done a very good job of funding education in general in Ohio.”

Particularly relevant to Kent State students, Spisak said, is the state’s recent cut in aid for higher education, which could put the university into a financial deficit.

“Who’s going to replace that deficit?” Spisak asks. “The students. We feel that’s wrong. Students are taxed enough in terms of what they pay for services, classes and books, and this is just another way of stating that the state funding of education is not adequate enough for students and their families.”

The Green Party also tackles issues of equality, non-violence and environmental responsibility among other things. Spisak said many of the party’s views appeal to college-aged students.

“Our largest support is between the ages of 18 and 26,” Spisak said. “There are a lot of students who are concerned about the economy, their future, health care and funding education.

Spisak urges students to think not just about this election, but look at the future when deciding which party to follow.

“Do [students] want just the Democrats and Republicans to dictate policies to them, or do they want to experiment with third parties for a new way of governing here in Ohio and here in America?”

Libertarian Party

“Limited government, lower taxes and greater freedom” –Ken Matesz

For students looking for a blend of liberal and conservative viewpoints, the Libertarian Party could offer the perfect option.

Like the Constitution Party, these members see a need to return to the limited government outlined in The Constitution, but they also hold many social justice beliefs that are similar to the Green Party.

“The core value or belief is that the Constitution of the United States is the principle document and that politicians in general don’t follow it,” said Ken Matesz, gubernatorial candidate for the Libertarians. “If we followed it, we would be a much freer bunch of people” DON’T FORGET THE PERIOD AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE…

According to Matesz and other Libertarians, the education system as it exists needs an overhaul. Rather than more government aid, however, they see a need for more privatization.

“There are so many opportunities today for changing education, and it’s all being stymied by the state of Ohio having monopoly power,” Matesz said. “I would like to drop that and open up the free market to education, and at the same time get the colleges and so forth all privately held so that they can be out from under the reach of politicians and bureaucrats.”

Libertarians see that when the government becomes less involved, its citizens have more freedom which, Matesz said, often appeals to students.

“I know there are a lot of younger people who are coming around to realizing that their freedoms are all being lost because of government,” Matesz said.

“To that extent I think a lot of them, when they find the Libertarian Party, are pretty happy.”

Matesz agrees that students need to research different parties, and pick the one that best mirrors their own personal beliefs. He also urges students not to be afraid of voting for third parties.

“People say that voting for a third party is throwing away your vote, but no, not really,” he said. “Voting for the major party when you prefer somebody in a third party is when you’re throwing away your vote”

KATE – REMEMBER TO CLOSE YOUR QUOTES WITH A PERIOD OR OTHER PUNCTUATION MARK… AND, USE YOUR XXXSAID, AS HE XXX. TO ADD DESCRIPTION OR FACTS YOU NEED TO SHOVEL INTO THE STORY. I CALL IT “COMMA, DESCRIPTION,” HIPSMAN SAID, AS HER EYES READ THE STORY LINE-BY-LINE. (!HAH!)

Other Libertarian Party candidates you may recognize:

Marc Feldman for Attorney General

Charlie Earl for Secretary of State

Matthew Cantrell for Treasurer