LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan voters may have another political party to vote for in the 2024 election.
That’s only if Common Sense Party supporters can collect enough signatures to get on the state ballot.
Over the years in Michigan, political parties without ties to Democrats and Republicans have had a hard time winning elections. In general, these parties divert between two and three percent of all votes in the state.
Jeff Timmer is a former moderate Republican who is not a fan of former US President Donald Trump. It is also the engine of the Common Sense Party.
Later this month, Timmer will ask state board members to sign a petition.
If Timmer can gather 45,000 valid signatures, the party can field candidates for any statewide office.
Although third party candidates do not usually win elections, Ron Perot is an exception to this trend.
Also, consumer crusader Ralph Nader said they can determine the outcome by taking votes away from the candidate who should have won.
According to the 6 News Bernie Porn poll, it’s too early to tell whether the Common Sense Party would hurt Democrats more than Republicans, or vice versa.
“It could be a problem,” Porn said. “I’d probably say we need to do some polling on that.”
He added that the name is intended to appeal to “less educated” voters.
Timmer has said he will talk more about the political party later this week.
