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For Facebook Friday, our fans voted that they wanted to know more about the 2012 third party presidential candidates. The third party debate took place this past Tuesday in Chicago between the four major nominees. If this year's election plays out like some others in American history, the third party votes can seriously throw off Republicans and Democrats.

"Let's repeal the Patriot Act," said former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party at the 2012 debate. The full debate and preshow can be found here from Youtube.

The third party candidates offer diverse views on political issues. At Tuesday's debate, each of the four main nominees voiced them out loud from the left wing to the right. The third party candidates offer diverse views on political issues. Physician Jill Stein and former mayor of Salt Lake City, UT Rocky Anderson weighed in on environmentalism.

"Jumpstart the green economy, and that means putting a halt to climate change and making wars for oil obsolete," said Stein of the Green Party.

"Our elected officials are sound asleep when the Pentagon is warning that climate change is a greater long-term security risk to the United States than terrorism," said Anderson of the Justice Party.

Former Virginia Representative Virgil Goode, Jr. spoke out against illegal immigration.

"It makes no sense to bring in so many foreign workers when our unemployment is so high in this country," said Goode of the Constitution Party.

Gary Johnson often drew the loudest cheers during the debate.

"Marriage equality is a constitutionally guaranteed right on par with civil rights of the '60s," said Johnson.

On Facebook, Joshua Huffman said, "Gary Johnson is the guy that makes the most sense. I would love to see him included in a debate with Obama and Romney."

Johnson is not on the Michigan ballot, but will be counted as a write-in. Some details can be found on the Michigan Libertarian website.

"Let's end the drug wars. Legalize marijuana now," Johnson said.

With polls near even between President Obama and Governor Romney, third party candidates with similar views may take some of their critical votes in swing states, and, therefore, play a key role in the outcome of this election. Click here for some of the most recent polls.

"If you have a very tight race, and if it comes down to a percentage point or two, one of the minor candidates could play the role of spoiler," said Dr. Robert Kulisheck, a retired political science professor at Northern Michigan University.

Independent third party candidate Ralph Nader is a recent example of a nominee playing a key role in the tight race for Florida in the 2000 election.

To see which candidate you most relate to on political issues, try this quiz on http://www.isidewith.com/. A full list of all third party and independent candidates can be found here.