Is a Third Party the Key to Empowering Overlooked Hispanic Voters?

A bilingual sign stands outside a polling center at public library ahead of local elections in Austin, Texas, on April 28, 2013. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Commentary

In many parts of the world, it’s common to have more than just a binary choice when it comes to voting. Countries such as Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, and the United Kingdom have embraced multi-party systems for years. However, the United States seems to be slowly catching up to this model, especially as the Hispanic vote gains prominence in the 2024 elections. Could a third party win over this crucial voting population?

I’m not alone in my belief that a third party could offer a ticket that Americans are eager for. In fact, in a recent Gallup poll, 63 percent of respondents supported the idea of a third political party. I’ve heard many acknowledge that the concept of a third party addresses the concerns that the majority of voters have with today’s political landscape.

Still, some prominent Democrats claim that such a ticket might attract a significant number of Democratic voters and act as a spoiler in the upcoming election. In essence, ensuring a Trump victory. Contrary to these concerns, the poll’s findings reveal that 58 percent of Republicans and 46 percent of Democrats support the idea of a third party.

That said, neither major party has fully secured the loyalty of Hispanic voters. Recent elections suggest that the Republican Party might be making inroads, with Donald Trump surprisingly capturing 29 percent of the Hispanic vote in 2016, a number that climbed to 37 percent in 2020, and now stands at an unprecedented 42 percent, according to a recent poll by The Washington Post. However, the situation is more complex than it seems.

When you dig deeper, Trump’s Hispanic support becomes less impressive, as 70 percent of Hispanics disapprove of him. This means a substantial portion of his Hispanic voters may not be enthusiastic supporters. Likewise, 60 percent of Hispanics disapprove of President Joe Biden, which demonstrates that they haven’t entirely embraced the Democratic Party either. Is it possible that a third-party candidate is the political answer Hispanics are searching for?

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One thing is undeniable: No party can afford to ignore the Hispanic vote. Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States, surpassing the number of African Americans and Asians combined. Not only is the Hispanic population growing, but their voter participation rate is also increasing rapidly, jumping nearly 10 percent from 2016 to 2020.

Despite their vote’s undeniable significance, neither major party has effectively addressed Hispanic voter concerns. On one side, Hispanics often feel demonized by the GOP, and on the other, they feel taken for granted by the Democrats. According to an Axios-Ipsos Latino Poll, one in three Hispanic voters believes that neither party truly cares about their demographic. A compelling indication of the opportunity for a third party lies in the fact that Hispanics, at a rate notably higher than the general U.S. population, identify as independents. According to Gallup, 52 percent of Hispanics identify as independent compared to 42 percent of the broader population.

This offers a promising path for a candidate to secure Hispanic support without aligning with the extreme ends of the political spectrum. The organization No Labels, with its idea for a mixed-ticket, bipartisan positioning, is poised to make the most of this opportunity. At the foundation of the No Labels movement is the fact that most Americans, including Hispanics, feel that neither party is putting forth sensible, pragmatic solutions.

This provides a promising route for a candidate to secure Hispanic support without getting entangled in the extreme fringes of the political spectrum. No Labels, with its cross-party approach, doesn’t demand that voters abandon their political ideology or major party affiliations. Rather, it offers the voter a ticket that’s best suited to addressing the needs of the American people.

No Labels can set itself apart by addressing Hispanics as Americans first and Hispanics second. This would mean steering clear of what I call “hispandering” and resorting to disingenuous attempts to connect. Consider how both parties have courted Hispanic voters with cringe-worthy gaffes, ranging from President Trump’s taco salad on Cinco de Mayo to Jill Biden illustrating the uniqueness of Hispanics through breakfast tacos.

Most Hispanics find themselves in the middle 50 percent of the political spectrum, feeling alienated as the two major parties move further towards extremes. It’s no surprise that 65 percent of Hispanic voters have rated the quality of political candidates on both sides as “poor” in recent years. If the Democratic and Republican parties continue to present candidates that the majority of Hispanics don’t favor, it may fall upon No Labels to create a new political home for this influential demographic.

The outcome remains to be seen. What’s clear is that Hispanics will play a pivotal role in the upcoming presidential election. Their sizable and growing community, combined with a willingness to vote based on their beliefs rather than party lines, makes them a force to be reckoned with. While the political world speculates about whether Hispanics will align with Republicans or Democrats, it might be time for the media and politicians to prepare for a new narrative if Hispanics opt for a different path.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.