🗳️ Third-party voters: The underdogs of the 2024 election
Also: Zivvy’s Jill Stein interview, Biden loses Clooney, Dwyane Wade's nails, and summers getting hotter
Let's face it: the presidential debates featuring President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have been a bit of a circus. With concerns about Biden's age and Trump's penchant for falsehoods, many young voters are left scratching their heads. Where's the authenticity? Where's the real talk? Enter: third-party candidates.
Biden and Trump duked it out on CNN last month. Now, a different kind of debate is brewing in Las Vegas. The Free and Equal Elections Foundation is hosting a showdown Thursday night featuring Libertarian nominee Chase Oliver, Green Party's Jill Stein, and Randall Terry of the Constitution Party. This debate, moderated by Free and Equal founder Christina Tobin and Congressman Thomas Massie, is all about giving a platform to those outside the two-party bubble.
Why should you care?
As Free and Equal's Director of Policy and Strategy Mike Leon tells Zivvy News, "You're seeing more and more people as they turn 18 and get a little bit older, within that 18 to 29 demo, starting to register as independents. They don't think that either party fits what they want overall, ideology-wise."
Translation: young people are over the two-party drama. A whopping 71% of Americans think third-party candidates should share the debate stage with major-party candidates, according to a recent Harvard CAPS/Harris poll. With states like Arizona and New Hampshire boasting high numbers of independent voters, it's clear that many are hungry for fresh voices and new perspectives. Voters in Georgia are also giving third-party candidates a closer look.
The challenge of ballot access
But being a third-party candidate is no walk in the park. Getting on the ballot is a state-by-state hustle. Each state has its own rules, often confusing and complicated, for how minor parties and independent candidates can qualify. For instance, the Green Party, which is set to nominate Jill Stein again, usually secures ballot access based on past election performance. Independents like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, however, need to gather a mountain of signatures or align with a minor party to get a shot. Plus, both Republicans and Democrats are challenging their access in states like North Carolina.
See where third party candidates are on the ballot (New York Times)
The impact of third-party candidates
Third-party candidates often face long odds, but they can still shake things up. In close races, a few percentage points can make all the difference. Some Democrats and Republicans worry that these candidates could siphon off enough votes to swing the election. And while young voters are critical of both Biden and Trump, they aren't exactly flocking to either camp. A recent NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll shows that when third-party candidates are in the mix, Trump pulls ahead of Biden among voters under 45.
See where a third party candidate could impact Biden or Trump (Wash Post)
What's at stake?
Young voters have voiced dissatisfaction with Biden's handling of issues like the economy, immigration, and the Israel-Hamas war. Despite Biden's efforts to appeal to younger generations through initiatives like student debt relief, many remain skeptical. Yet, history shows that third-party candidates often poll better than they perform on Election Day. Whether this dissatisfaction translates into actual votes for third-party candidates remains to be seen.
The topics set to be discussed at the Free and Equal debate will be similar to the network debates. Expect the economy, immigration, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars to dominate. But Leon emphasizes the goal is not to completely emulate the network debates when it comes to the tone and time restrictions.
“We're trying to make this a civilized healthy discussion about policies,” he explained, also that they will focus on Trump and Biden. “What they've done right, [and] what you would do differently if you're the leader of the free world. This is the most important job in the world, right? This is the CEO of the United States. And so we need to ask the questions that voters are most focused on right now.”
So, as the presidential race heats up, keep an eye on these underdog candidates. They might not have the spotlight, but they're pushing for change in a system that many young voters feel doesn't represent them. Whether or not they can break through the noise of the two-party system, they're giving a voice to the growing number of independents looking for something different.
Watch Zivvy’s interview with Free & Equal Elections’ Mike Leon on their plan to put third-party candidates in the spotlight (Zivvy News)
Why Jill Stein is running on a third-party ticket... for a third time
Dr. Jill Stein, the determined physician and activist, insists her 2024 presidential bid won’t hurt President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. A three-time Green Party nominee, Stein dismisses the bipartisan scare tactics suggesting votes for third-party candidates are actually votes for Donald Trump.
“This is part of their talking points,” she tells Zivvy News. “Both parties maintain that they own your vote, [that] you're supposed to be just part of the faithful boots on the ground for this political establishment that's throwing you under the bus. If you want to be the foot soldier to the crisis in your life and those who are causing it, yeah, sure, you owe them your vote.”
🗳️ Politics
➤ 'We need a new nominee': George Clooney calls on Biden to step aside after seeing him at fundraiser
The actor and Democratic donor issued his call as prominent Democrats continue to step forward to question Biden’s ability to win re-election against former President Donald Trump. (NBC News)
Dig Deeper:
↪ How Hollywood quickly turned on Joe Biden (Politico)
↪ Two in three Americans feel Biden should step aside (Ipsos)
➤ House progressives, led by AOC unveil articles of impeachment against Justices Thomas and Alito
This week, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and her “squad” of House progressives introduced articles of impeachment against conservative Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.They charge the justices allegedly didn't recuse themselves from cases where they had a "personal bias or prejudice" and failed to disclosecrucial financial info, like income and gifts. (Axios)
➤ Project 2025 would overhaul the US tax system. Here's how it could impact you
Project 2025, a 900-page blueprint for the next Republican president, is gaining attention for its proposals to overhaul the federal government. Among those changes: a major restructuring of the US tax code. (CBS News)
🌎 Around the world
➤ Biden administration agrees to ship 500-pound bombs to Israel
The US is back on track to send Israel t500-pound bombs that had been put on a two-month timeout by the Biden administration, all in an effort to cut down on civilian casualties in Gaza. But hold onto your TikToks—the 2,000-pound mega-bombs are still chilling on the sidelines. Stay tuned for the next episode of "As the World Turns!" (Wall Street Journal)
➤ China’s youth are 'revenge saving’ even as Gen Zers around the world are piling up debt
While Gen Zers worldwide are racking up debt, China's young people are going viral on Chinese social media for setting ambitious monthly savings goals (CNBC)
➤ Young men are swinging hard right in Korea. It could be a preview for America
Across the world young women are leaning left, embracing all things progressive, while their male counterparts are veering right. The gender split was particularly sharp in the US during the 2022 midterms. But the ideological gap between young men and women in Korea is bigger than ever, completely shaking up the country's politics and making waves in Korean society. (Politico)
☀️ Climate
➤ Dangerous, record-breaking heat expected to continue spreading across US
Roughly 130 million people across the country were under threat Saturday and into next week from a long-running heat wave that already has broken records with dangerously high temperatures —according to forecasters (CBS News)
Dig Deeper: Yes, summers are getting hotter, and the last 7 years have been the warmest the Earth has ever seen (Verify)
➤ New York to roll out small shampoo bottle ban at hotels
New York state will be mandating hotels to forgo small bottles containing "hospitality care" products such as shampoo and lotions. The enforcement comes as a bill was passed in the New York Assembly in hopes of reducing waste. (Fox Business)
➤ This ancient technology is helping millions stay cool
Relief from scorching heat in countries like India is coming from an ancient source: clay. Special clay pots, when combined with water, can cool drinking water and the air around them, providing a natural air conditioning solution for millions of households without modern cooling systems. Companies are developing earthen building materials that outperform traditional bricks and mortar in keeping interiors cool, tapping into age-old wisdom that has kept people comfortable for thousands of years. (Wired)
💰 Money
➤ Inflation eased further in June, paving the way to rate cuts
Inflation eased more than expected in June, making it easier for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates — and give long-awaited relief to households and businesses. (USA Today)
➤ Student loan borrowers owe $1.6 Trillion. Nearly half aren’t paying.
Millions of people are overdue on their federal loans or still have them paused — and court rulings keep upending collection efforts. (New York Times)
➤ Costco raising membership fees for first time in 7 years
The bulk retailer announced Wednesday its membership fees will increase at the start of September. But the good news is your hot dog is still $1.50 — for now at least. (CNN)
➤ A Black man got a job interview after he changed the name on his resume. Now, he’s suing for discrimination
Dwight Jackson filed the lawsuit against the Shinola Hotel on July 3, alleging he was denied a job when he applied as “Dwight Jackson,” but later offered an interview when he changed his name to “John Jebrowski.” (CNN)
⚕️Health and wellness
➤ Night owls have better brain function than morning people, study suggests
Looking at sleep patterns and cognition, researchers have found those who are more active and alert in evenings have "superior cognitive function." (Sky News)
➤ Violet Affleck reveals post-viral condition in public plea for ‘mask availability’
Violet Affleck is voicing her opposition to the mask bans recently floated by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. The 18-year-old daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner spoke during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting, which had nothing mask-related on the agenda. Introducing herself as a “Los Angeles resident” and “first-time voter,” and wearing a mask herself, she warned about the dangers that banning masks would pose to “vulnerable members of our community” — and revealed she was once among them. (LA Times)
➤ This AI chatbot was trained on drag queens, and it wants to help protect your sexual health
A non-profit delivering sexual health and HIV care across 15 states—created an AI chatbot to offer real-time educational info about STIs, manages appointments, delivers test results, and supports patients, especially those vulnerable to infections like HIV and historically underserved. In a bold move, the foundation decided to deliver these services through the fabulous voice of a drag queen. (Stat News)
🎓 College Corner
➤ Many universities are abandoning race-conscious scholarships worth millions
In the year since the Supreme Court ruled colleges could no longer consider an applicant’s race as a factor in admissions, a growing number of schools have also applied the principles underlying the ruling to financial aid. (Washington Post)
🍿Pop Culture
➤ Dwyane Wade teases potential nail polish line
The former basketball star has been painting his nails since 2007. In an interview with CBS’ Jerika Duncan, Wade says he’s “got some cool ideas that I’m exploring” and “has been having some conversations.” CBSMornings on TikTok
➤ Travis Kelce reveals astronomical amount he paid for Taylor Swift's Super Bowl suite
Remember when Taylor Swift showed up to the 2023 Super Bowl, watched Travis Kelce and the Chiefs win against the San Francisco 49ers, hung with a fleet of celebrities (Ice Spice! Blake Lively!), and then walked out onto the field to kiss Trav while the entire world watched/screamed? Yeah, turns out that whole magical evening cost Travis...quite a lot of money! Three million to be exact. (Cosmopolitan)
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