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Views of thrid party

Outside Looking In: Views of Third Party and Independent Candidates Herrnson and Ron FaucheuxOriginally published in Campaigns & Elections magazine, August 1999 issue.The recent elections of Reform Party candidate - now governor - Jesse Ventura of Minnesota and Green Party candidate - now state legislator - Audie Bock of California, have highlighted the roles of third party and independent candidates in American politics. However, the successes of these two giants of minor party politics contrast with the political experiences of most candidates who are listed on the ballot without a "D" or an "R" next to their names.With few exceptions, third party and Independent candidates usually fail in their quest to hold office. Most lose in the general election, a small number lose in competitive primaries, and many fail to get as far as meeting the requirements to get on the ballot and thus are shut out of competition. Many third party and Independent candidates and their supporters regularly complain about various aspects of the campaign system. They believe that the process is so severely biased against them that they are automatically pushed to the periphery of elections. Nevertheless, these candidates can play important roles in raising issues, mobilizing new voters, introducing campaign innovations and tilting elections from one major party candidate to another - even when they don't win. Of course, a small number of them attract enough voter support to win. Just as it is important to be fully aware of the hurdles that minor party contenders need to jump, it is important to learn about their unique perspective on the campaign process.Stacked DeckLaws governing most elections are either specifically designed to limit the prospects for third party and Independent candidates or to work to the advantage of the two major parties. The winner-take-all system of counting ballots, for example, does little to encourage a party that perpetually com...

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