This year, with such unpopular candidates for president of the United States, many people may like to know that there’s a viable third option. The presidential debates offer a platform from which those other voices can and should be heard.

However, the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has set the debate requirements such that only Republican and Democrat candidates will be invited.

Any candidate must poll at 15 percent nationally in five specific polls to be invited, which is completely arbitrary and way too high for a third party candidate without major media coverage.

Gary Johnson scored around 8 percent in those qualifying polls. He’s on the ballot in all 50 states. This is a serious candidate.

Whether you agree with his views or not, I ask that you consider how you feel about the CPD — a tax-exempt, so called “non-partisan” organization — keeping such serious third party candidates from participating in the debates. Personally, I am outraged.

We have to say when enough is enough. Please spread the word. Go online and sign the petition to “Let Gary Debate.” Tell the CPD that we notice them rigging the game and that we care.

Cristina Birkel

Bellevue