Mike Conner Jr., Iowa View contributor Published 10:16 a.m. CT Oct. 6, 2020

Jake Porter, Libertarian candidate for governor, meets with the Register's editorial board. Des Moines Register

The mainstream media may not publicize it often, but America is fed up.

Of course, this comes as no surprise to me. Ive been hearing it from voters from all sides for years. Iowa and Americas voter registration numbers show it with an increase in independent and third party voters over the past fouryears. This despite the best efforts from both Democrats and Republicans to strengthen their political tribes through legislation and other bullying means.

The frustration that America is feeling was reinforced following the debacle that was the first presidential debate this past Tuesday. For two hours, Donald Trump and Joe Biden displayed their amazing ability to dodge questions or issues that affect citizens, while turning the debate into no more than an infantile Twitter argument.

This is what American politics has devolved into 167 years of two parties being in power has culminated in a hyper-partisan tug of war for power over the people.

All over social media, Americans expressed their embarrassment for the pathetic exhibition. Even the mainstream media found it next to impossible to spin this in a way to make it palatable.

Libertarian Party candidate for President, Jo Jorgensen, addresses the crowd during a campaign stop in Westfield, Ind., at Grand Park Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. A few hundred people attended her only scheduled campaign stop in Indiana.(Photo: Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar)

Google search trends for Jo Jorgensen, Libertarian Candidate, and Third Party shot through the roof after the debate. Jo Jorgensens campaign website received so much traffic that it temporarily crashed. Third party social media pages and groups were flooded with new likes and follows. The appetite for another option is definitely there.

Personally, I spoke with multiple friends who were disheartened by the display. They are sick and tired of the status quo, but still couldnt yet justify wasting their vote on a third party candidate.

To me, I see it the other way around why waste your vote on the status quo?

A vote for Jo Jorgensen can do so much more than a vote for either Biden or Trump. If she is able to get 2% in Iowa, that means Libertarians are considered a major party in Iowa, which immediately gives Iowa LP candidates credibility. If she can collect 5% of the vote, that means the 2024 LP candidate would qualify for public matching funds. That would be a game-changer and instantly makethe Libertarian Party a contender.

You can vote for the status quo and continue to get the sideshow that you saw this past Tuesday, or your vote can actually have an impact on the political direction of the country and get us one step closer to a legitimate third option.

So I agree. As proven by the appalling debate, this election is far too important to waste your vote on Trump or Biden next month.

Mike Conner Jr.(Photo: Special to the Register)

Mike Conner Jr. is the state chair of the Libertarian Party of Iowa.

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Election politics have devolved. The Libertarian Party has something different to offer. - Des Moines Register