As voters cast their ballots on Tuesday, opinions varied widely on the impact of voting for third-party candidates.
The Democratic National Committee voiced concerns about third parties taking votes from Democratic Candidate Kamala Harris, particularly the Green Party led by candidate Jill Stein, in crucial swing states.
May Nerudova, who voted at the Honan-Allston Branch of the Boston Public Library, said the U.S.’s foreign policy is partly to blame for her choice in refusing to vote Democrat or Republican.
“I have friends who have to deal with the impact of the bombings of the U.S. government and the killing of their family and so, quite frankly, a big motivation for me is not enabling any of that,” Nerudova said.
Nerudova wrote in another candidate on her ballot.
“I spoiled my ballot,” Nerudova said. “I don’t believe that any party that can lead the United States is able to change it.”
Nerudova said did not vote for the Green Party because she said the party’s vice presidential candidate is “transphobic and anti-abortion.” Nerudova did not vote for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, because she believes it is a “cult that highly controls its members.”
Others believe the importance of democracy and exercising the right to vote is important, regardless of who one’s vote is for.
“I think whoever their candidate is, if that’s their choice, then go ahead and do that,” Lasonia Lang, an election official in Fenway, said. “We are the people, and we have the right to choose.”
On the other hand, Ron Muise, who voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump, said those who voted for the third party “are just wasting their vote.”
Muise also said voting for third party candidates “might hurt” Harris more than Trump.
“I don’t think anything’s gonna hurt [Trump],” Muise said. “He’s going to win it in a landslide.”
Gabriel O’Hara Salini contributed to the reporting of this article.
