Many political party platforms focus on issues such as the war in Iraq, tax reform and marriage rights; other groups focus on Biblical foundations, the environment and individual liberty.

In Athens County, 68.6 percent of voters are registered independent. There are 29,156 independent voters compared to 10,152 Democrats and 3,197 Republicans, said Penny Brooks, deputy director for the Athens County Board of Elections.

“With the general election, there is no way to tell how independent voters will affect the results because everyone can vote for anyone,” Brooks said. In a general election, voters can choose from any candidate, regardless of party affiliation, and people will not necessarily vote along party lines, she said.

Ohio University junior Bob Arnold, voter registered as independent, said he does not vote along party lines. He also does not lean toward one side or the other when voting. Instead, he votes based on the person he thinks is best qualified for the position.

“It’s not about the party affiliation but about who is the best person for the job,” he said.

Ohio has five active independent political parties out of the 48 in the United States. Each has unique principles and ideas about what the American government needs.

“We want people to know that there is an alternative,” said Russell Buckbee, the media relations representative for the Ohio Green Party. “It is not just between Democrat and Republican.”Libertarian Party

The OU Libertarians is the only student group on campus devoted to an independent political party. They have approximately 15 active members.

Richard Vedder, professor of economics and adviser of the OU Libertarians, defines the party as a group that believes people have the right to do as they choose, as long as they do not harm others.

On Sept. 21 the group hosted a rally for Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Bill Peirce.

Vedder said it is important for the OU Libertarians to be on campus because they promote diversity of ideas.Green Party

The party was created to help Ohio develop a sustainable and healthy future for its citizens. Buckbee said the party focuses on four pillars: social justice, economic wisdom, diversity and nonviolence.

“We are a party that takes positions that are neither liberal nor conservative but are still progressive and sound,” Buckbee said.

The Green Party candidates in Ohio are gubernatorial candidate Bob Fitrakis, his running mate Anita Rios and Tim Kettler for Secretary of State, as well as candidates for various local offices across the state.Natural Law Party

Natural law is all the laws of nature that govern the universe. The National Law Party is a science party focusing on principles of self sustainment and prevention in public policy. According to the party’s Web site, www.ohionlp.org, solutions to many problems can be implemented when people align themselves with natural laws.

Dennis Slotnick, chairperson of the National Law Party of Ohio, said the group is similar to the Green Party. But the major difference between the two is that the National Law Party takes a more scientific approach and looks at all laws that govern the universe.

John Eastman is the party’s candidate for Ohio Secretary of State.Constitution Party

According to the party’s Web site, www.ohiocp.org, the goal of the Constitution Party is to restore America to its Biblical foundations and to limit the federal government to its Constitutional boundaries.

The local Constitution Party candidate is Marlys Barbee for Morgan County Commissioner.American Reform Party

According to the party Web site, www.americanreform.org/ARP-State-Affliates/ohio.html, America needed another strong political party to eliminate the monopolization of politics by Democrats and Republicans. The American Reform Party has 38 goals, which include election reform, campaign finance reform, political and economic objectives and immigration policies.The party does not have any candidates in the midterm election.