• Blackbeard@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    We have more than two options each election. In 2020 there were 4, in 2012 and 2016 there were 7, in 2004 and 2008 there were 6, in 2000 there were 8. Having options isn’t the problem. It’s that all the losers get out of running and losing, is absolutely nothing. The only thing that matters is the winner.

    • kandoh@reddthat.com
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      6 months ago

      Those are never taken seriously because they’re never in the debate, which for most of my life where people actually made their decision on who to vote for.

      • Blackbeard@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        No, they’re never taken seriously because it’s a winner-take-all system. The number of people who make a voting decision based on debates is vanishingly small, if it ever even mattered.

        edit: Proof that debates are irrelevant.

        • kandoh@reddthat.com
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          6 months ago

          Didn’t use to be the case. Everyone use to say they would make up their minds after watching the debate.

          • Blackbeard@lemmy.world
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            6 months ago

            That study looked into 62 elections in ten countries since 1952. I’m sure people said the debates helped them make up their minds, but the statistical evidence doesn’t bear that out.