To the editor:

I’m puzzled by upstate Democrats; most are voting for Clinton because they are afraid of Trump. Many think voting for a third-party candidate is just a vote for Trumpism.

Here’s the reality: You are a disenfranchised Democrat; Clinton prevails no matter what you do. Need proof? In the primary, Sanders beat Clinton in 50 of 62 New York counties – and, incredibly, on every single voting machine in Essex County! Not one Essex election district voted for Clinton. That’s not some meek political statement; that’s a full-on revolt. And … the party ignored our little upstate rebellion; she won New York. They knew we’d fall into line on Election Day.

To hell with ’em. They’ve unwittingly liberated us to vote against a rigged system that nominated the most unpopular Democratic candidate in the history of polling. Stein (and Johnson) are on the New York ballot. A vote for one of them is a protest vote that really matters because it will strengthen the future clout of the Green and Libertarian parties.

Or you can obediently waste your vote on a defective candidate, just because you are afraid. Well, I don’t make fear-based decisions; I’m voting for Jill Stein.

Frank Pagano

Jay