This post is by Mimi Parseghian

Although half of Massachusetts voters are registered as Unenrolled (not affiliated with any political party) we do tend to vote for people representing a particular party.  This year’s contentious, uncivil, at times ugly, Presidential Election has created the opportunity for “third parties” to emerge.

Unfortunately, the same factors that make it difficult for outsiders to get elected—money, media attention, and the power of the two established political parties—still dominate this election cycle.

However, there appears to be in both the Democratic and Republican parties a dissenting faction that wants to take action.  Yesterday’s Boston Globe had a front-page article about a letter distributed by State Senator James Eldridge.  The Globe wrote, “E-mailing a group of Sanders supporters, the Acton Democrat also contemplated the creation of a third, progressive party. But he focused on a reform-from-within approach to push the [Democratic] party to the left.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, Curt Schilling of red sock and Red Sox fame, announced on a number of local radio stations that he is thinking of running against Senator Elizabeth Warren. On WBUR Cognoscenti web page, Tim Snyder writes about what may happen to Donald Trump supporters if he loses.  “Is the dawn of a viable third party in American politics finally here?  If so, it appears that the Trump Party (which of course would bear the great Trump brand) has it first down-ballot candidate: No. 38, Curt Schilling.”

Will Massachusetts we see at least one new political party after this Presidential Election? If this occurs, will it attract a faction of unenrolled voters?   If people want a change, they need to get involved, organize, and agitate.  Civic participation is not a spectator sport. It requires a lifetime commitment.