Folks looking to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a way to “vote their conscience,” or are voting for him because they perceive him as the “lesser of two evils,” between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, have to look past their sense of an entitled vote and see him for what he is.

Votes for RFK Jr. are votes siphoned from Biden, risking a Trump win. One of his staffers admitted as much in public.This is not to say the desire for a third party or another choice is unrealistic in the future, but much more work needs to be done by ordinary citizens before the civic duty of voting for the president of the United States. Trump will take that option away from you.

Put in the work to make a third-party candidate a realistic concept. Come out of your house and engage with your community. Vote in all elections from PTAs to state representatives, and any other function of government within your power. Volunteer. Knock doors. Make time for remote testimony. Acting has never been easier in this respect. Show up and participate. Until then, vote blue for the future of our democracy.

Stephanie Toumanoff

Hancock