The 2016 presidential election cycle has been marked by historically low popularity ratings toward candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and campaigns that often focus on demagoguery and personal attacks rather than policy.

With large segments of the population displeased with their options in the general election, voters have looked to third party candidates to fill the void.

Enter Gov. Gary Johnson, the former two-term Republican governor of New Mexico and Libertarian candidate for president who is currently polling around nine percent, according to a Real Clear Politics average.

Letter to the Editor: Don’t be fooled, you still have a third choice this November

Johnson’s current numbers far exceed those from the last election, when he received roughly one percent of the vote as the Libertarian candidate for president in 2012. This growth in support is indicative of growing displeasure with the current Republican and Democratic candidates and increasing public support for Libertarian ideology.

As a Libertarian, Johnson’s message of fiscal restraint and social tolerance resonates with many disaffected voters and young people. But despite Johnson’s relative popularity, he will not be included in the first presidential debate Monday. The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) requires that candidates poll at 15 percent from an average of five select polls.

Jill Stein is not qualified to be president

The Johnson and Stein campaigns also recently lost a civil suit to force their inclusion in the debates. Despite this setback, the candidates have pledged to continue their legal fight.

In response to the court ruling, Johnson’s campaign manager Ron Nielson said, “There is clearly an unprecedented desire for alternatives to the Republican and Democratic nominees, and voters deserve an opportunity to see and hear that there are, in fact, other credible, serious choices.”

Last month, a Quinnipiac University poll found that 62 percent of voters want Johnson in the debates.

Several notable policymakers, like former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts and 2012 Republican presidential nominee, have also joined the call for Johnson’s inclusion in the debates.

I hope voters get to see former GOP Governors Gary Johnson and Bill Weld on the debate stages this fall.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) September 7, 2016

Regardless of whether or not you support Johnson, you should fight for his chance to be on stage. Giving Johnson the opportunity to debate would allow the voters who support him to have their voices heard and would give less-informed voters a chance to hear his proposals.

The two party system has failed the public in this election cycle, and it is now time to give the podium to another qualified candidate.

On Monday, voters will only hear two voices — two visions for this country. But there are other alternatives out there that much of the public will never get to see openly debated and scrutinized.

American voters deserve better. They deserve to hear another voice in the debates — let Gary debate.