3rd Party

Splinter Party - start from a major party, usually form around a popular individual

ex: Bull Moose Party

Single Issue Party - focus on 1 specific policy / concern

ex: Free Soil Party

Ideological Party - represents distinct political philosophies

ex: Socialist or Libertarian

What kept 2 party tradition / why is it hard to be 3rd party

Single-Member Districts - electoral districts where only one candidate is elected to each office, winner take all plurality (who has more votes)

^^ makes 3rd party hard to stand out / win

Winner take all discourages 3rd parties, expensive campaigns with minimal hance of winning, other 2 parties dominate

Proportional Representation - awarded seats based on proportion

Electoral college - winner take all exception Maine / Nebraska, per state, difficult to win

Ballot access - major auto put on ballot, minor need to fill paper and get signatures

funding disparities - don’t want to give money to someone likely to use

3rd party aren’t in presidential debates

Role of 3rd parties

express strong views on controversial issues

compel major parties to take a stance on said issues

forces issues into political agenda

“Spoiler Effect” - draw votes from major parties, may contribute to ones win or loss

Obstacle 1