What impact can third parties have on elections?

Question

What impact can third parties have on elections?

Answer 1

They take away votes from one of the candidates...

Answer 2

Votes are limited by the number of people (population over 18). So they are scarce. Any additional party (4, 16, 23) can take away votes from the other. That's all. Real simple. The thing is America likes "fast-food" politics. They like it to be like a sporting event. This means 2 teams, and one day to choose. This is bogus. Other countries provide real time and effort for people to decide. Some have 12 or more parties; civic discussion groups so everyone is clear on each parties stance. And they allowing voting over a two-week period; or at least on the weekends!

I lived in Japan for a while and a friend there was shocked to hear that we can only vote in one day time period. "How do people get off work or those who cannot make it that day do it?" he asked. Well. that's how America likes it. Candidates only want those hardcore voters who are typically biased to come out and vote because it ensures them victory. They like less parties too.

All those in both major parties are all from the same social circles; so either one who wins is good for the rich/powerful. It's totally elitist.

Extreme numbers and money could change things though, so vote Ron Paul 2008!

Answer 3

They draw support away from the main candidates, and they could prevent a candidate from getting a plurality (more than 50%) of the votes rather than just a majority of votes.

Answer 4

a third party candidate will draw his\her support away from one of the two major parties.  i.e. Ralph Nader drew votes away from algore in 2000.

Answer 5

I am all for 3rd parties, but they have no chance at winning. So basically, you are just NOT, choosing sides. Dem or Republican. Just taking votes away from the 2 parties. ex. Nader in 2000-Gore could have won.

Answer 6

they can raise consciousness of voters on important issues and actually present viable solutions and ideas.

many things that became law were first raised/pushed by third parties. some of those laws and policies were successful and lasting, others were not, others were partially successful.

One example would be prohibition--pushed by third party people.

It is truly sad how people limit themselves to the 2 big party choices, and think they have to decide on the lesser of 2 evils. If your choices are evil, you should not go with any of them at all.

And there are other alternatives out there--Libertarianism, for example.

Find someone whose views are actually in agreement with yours, and support them wholeheartedly, not because they are "less evil than the other guy"

Answer 7

Yep! Any one who can control Votes can affect elections. Be it a party or a third party. If you were specific it could have been explained.

Answer 8

All you have to do is look at the 2000 election to see the impact a third party can have...Ralph Nader kept Al Gore out of office.

Answer 9

well the more people vote for 3rd party , the more the republicans and Democrats just might have to actually start doing something to improve the country

and with all the rules the Dem's and republicans have put in place to stop 3rd party's  its amazing we have a 3rd party at all.

Answer 10

I love the ignorance of those claiming that Nader kept Gore out of office when his campaign had little impact in the determination of the electoral college especially when offset by Buchanan.

The one that really had an impact was that big eared guy named Ross Perot. Bill Clinton made it into office NEVER gaining 50% because of Perot's candidacy. That isnt a commentary on Clinton but on the power of a strong third party candidate.

Answer 11

A great impact if enough people fed up with the current state of affairs vote for them. But they normally just don't vote at all.

Most voters are stuck in the lesser of two evils mindset or actually believe that one of the power parties has all the answers and is on their side. So for now, third parties (I hate that term) have little impact.

Al Gore kept Al Gore out of office, Nader had nothing to do with it.

Answer 12

Very little.