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By Kendall Westgate, WestgateK@Findlay.edu
The wait till election day is narrowing down with eight days left till the election. Yet, there is still so much to know about this upcoming election, like what a third party is.
Most may know that the United States has two dominant political parties – Republicans and Democrats. However, third party candidates can also run for election, which represent alternative viewpoints, according to the U.S. Department of State.
In the 2024 election, there are five presidential candidates to choose from. Kamala Harris is leading the Democratic Party, while Donald Trump leads the Republican Party. The three third-party candidates include Chase Oliver (Libertarian), Jill Stein (Green) and Cornel West, an independent.
The Libertarian Party, which Oliver is running for, is the third-largest political party in the United States, according to Ballotpedia. Some key principles regarding this party include individual freedom, economic conservatism, non-interventionist foreign policy, and civil liberties.
According to the Libertarian Party’s website, it “proudly advocates for decreased government intervention, assuming personal accountability and cultivating economic liberty.”
The Green Party emphasizes environmentalism, social justice, and grassroots democracy. It supports policies like the Green New Deal, universal healthcare, and a living wage. The Green Party website describes grassroots democracy as all humans being allowed a say in decision that affects their lives.
The final third-party candidate running in the presidential election is an Independent third-party. These candidates run for office without being affiliated with any established political party. Candidate Cornel West emphasizes focusing on the people, rather than the internal dynamics of political parties, by addressing issues like economic inequality, civil rights, and foreign policy – according to Politico.
According to Axios, “Cornel West is running as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election to challenge the dominance of the two major political groups, which he refers to as ‘corporate duopoly.’”
With three different third-party candidates running for office, it is important to note the significance of the third-party. These candidates can introduce new ideas, influence election outcomes, provide alternatives, and encourage voter participation.
Stated by The Politics Watcher website, “These candidates have introduced alternative platforms and ideas into the political landscape, forcing voters to consider options beyond the traditional party lines.”
In close elections, third party-candidates can draw votes away from major party candidates, which can change the outcome of the election. The presence of third-parties can underscore the limitations of the U.S. electoral system, such as challenges of ballot access and the winner-takes-all approach, according to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas political scientist Dan Lee.
While it may influence the election by steering some votes away from the Democratic and Republican parties, it can also give voters an alternative option. This can encourage more voter participation, since it broadens the range of choices.
