Aren Greens just spoilers?
Most elections in the U.S. are plurality, winner-takes-all elections, which allows strong parties to split the opposition vote among smaller parties. Greens oppose this political system, and are calling for electoral reforms such as runoff voting and proportional representation, which allow political parties to appeal to constituencies of all sizes without strengthening the opposition. When Prairie Greens run for office, they run with the hope that they will win that office, never with any goals of splitting the votes. Greens choosing to run for office see themselves as participating in the political process, not “spoiling”.
