Third-party candidates

Third-party candidates are individuals running for a political office who are not affiliated with the two main parties—typically the Democrats or Republicans in the U.S. context. They often represent alternative political perspectives or specific issues and seek to provide voters with additional choices beyond the major parties. While they usually have less visibility and fewer resources, some can influence elections by drawing votes away from major candidates or highlighting unique policy ideas. Third-party candidates play a vital role in promoting political diversity and challenging the dominance of the two-party system.