http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/16/opinion/anti-trump-republicans-dont-waste-your-vote-trade-it.html 2016-09-16 10:05:31 Anti-Trump Republicans: Don’t Waste Your Vote. Trade It. In a tight election, a swap system could make the difference. === Washington — Republican voters who refuse to vote for Donald J. Trump are in a bind. They could vote for Hillary Clinton, but that means supporting a candidate whose positions likely run counter to their beliefs. Or they could vote for Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate, whose positions might be closer to their own but who stands almost no chance of winning a single state, let alone the White House. Fortunately, there’s a precedent, and a solution: vote trading, which was first attempted during the 2000 election and which, thanks to today’s more robust internet, could make all the difference in a tight race. Sixteen years ago, the concern was that votes for the left-leaning third-party candidate, Ralph Nader, could siphon off critical support for Al Gore in swing states like Florida. Gore supporters begged Naderites not to “throw away” their vote — an insinuation that Nader voters found offensive. As the election neared, though, “Nader Trader” It was a good idea, but in 2000, it didn’t work. Word didn’t spread fast enough, and the internet was still in its infancy. But it’s worth revisiting. First, consider the size of the #NeverTrump Republican vote. The problem is that in many close states, the number of Republicans who say they will vote for Mr. Johnson or stay at home is larger than the difference in support for Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton. Again, in Ohio, if the election were held today, Gary Johnson won less than 1 percent of the vote in Ohio in 2012. Has he done anything in four years to improve his lot with Republicans, other than At the same time, we hear from many Republican friends in our home states of Louisiana and California, as well as former colleagues here in Washington, that they would vote for Mrs. Clinton if their vote “mattered.” Too bad they are in deep red or deep blue states, in a system where a handful of states will decide the fate for the country. In other words, it’s 2000 all over again. Mr. Johnson could deliver the election to Mr. Trump. Would-be protest voters should choose tactically instead and become a Trump Trader. Today our organization, The system is simple. If you are thinking about voting for Mr. Johnson and live in a swing state, contact a friend who is voting for Mrs. Clinton in a safe state, and trade. Or, since it’s 2016 and not 2000, we recommend the new Trump trading is based on the honor system. But for that reason, it’s also perfectly legal: It’s simply a matter of voters publicly expressing their political preference, so it’s protected by the First Amendment. After the 2000 election, the National Voting Rights Institute and the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California brought a case on behalf of three Nader Trader sites — Republicans everywhere should show up to vote, and those in swing states should vote tactically, for Mrs. Clinton, and for Republicans down ticket. But for voters who can’t quite stomach pulling the lever for the Democrat, offsetting that choice with a pledged vote in another state may make all the difference. By voting tactically in 2016, conscientious Republicans can still prevent the worst-case scenario: Mr. Trump taking over the White House, and the G.O.P.