In the 2024 presidential election, third-party and independent candidates are facing significant hurdles in their quest for ballot access. Candidates such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West have decided to create their own political parties to ease the stringent requirements for getting on the ballot in various states.
Kennedy, running under the "We the People" party, and West, initially planning to run with the Green Party before forming the "Justice for All" party, are leveraging the legal advantages that minor-party candidates have over independents. For example, in states like North Carolina, minor parties need only around 13,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot, whereas independents require over 83,000.
The scam “debates” are finally getting some much needed attention from people just figuring out issues that 3rd Party/Independents have with debate access because of RFK Jr not being invited to debate.
How could someone polling so high not be included?
How could someone on the… pic.twitter.com/xKJyhILTWu
— Being Libertarian (@beinlibertarian) May 16, 2024
This strategic move comes as polling indicates an unprecedented appetite for third-party candidates, driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the major parties' frontrunners, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Despite the enthusiasm, experts like political scholar Tamas emphasize that these candidates need a galvanizing issue to sustain their momentum and avoid fading by November.
While the Greens and Libertarians remain focused on their traditional platforms, new entrants like Kennedy and West are attempting to capture the moderate and progressive vote respectively.
Interesting perspective.
Time to cut bait and join Kennedy. Your 3% could make a 3rd party win the Electoral College.
Be a GameChanger😂or not.😊⛺️Kennedy Shanahan Winning ☮️🇺🇸💯🔔🦅🚀💰🏖🥇⛺️ https://t.co/jCWOHQkbLI
— Billy from Philly -Kennedy-Shanahan 🇺🇸🦅☮️ (@MuffiWilliam) June 21, 2024
This dynamic could produce a significant spoiler effect, especially in a tight race where even a small shift in votes could determine the outcome. Historically, third-party candidates have impacted elections by forcing major parties to address neglected issues, but their success hinges on running candidates at all levels, not just the presidential ticket.
The ballot access process varies widely across states, with independent candidates facing particularly high hurdles. For instance, Texas requires over 113,000 signatures from voters who did not participate in the primary elections of either major party, a daunting task within a limited timeframe. In contrast, states like Florida and Delaware offer more accessible routes for minor parties, enabling candidates like Kennedy and West to navigate these complexities more effectively.
As the election draws closer, the role of third-party candidates will become clearer. Their ability to influence the political landscape depends on their organizational strength and the resonance of their platforms with voters. While the major parties co-opt popular third-party issues to neutralize their impact, the presence of strong third-party contenders could still shape the national conversation and potentially alter the election's outcome.
In summary, the 2024 election cycle is witnessing a strategic adaptation by third-party candidates to overcome ballot access challenges. By forming new parties and focusing on key states, candidates like Kennedy and West are positioning themselves to influence the election, despite the historical difficulties faced by third-party campaigns.
