Question

Describe some of the challenges facing third party candidates in the United States. (Site 1)

Answer 1

1) The electoral system.
2) Federal campaign finance laws.
3) State ballot access laws.
4) Lack of resources.
5) Lack of media coverage.
6) Lack of well-known, well-qualified candidates.
7) Regarded as too ideological.
8) The tactics of the two major parties.

Answer 2

The way third-party candidates have to qualify to get their names on the ballot paper in each state makes life difficult for third parties. States require third-party candidates to present a petition signed by a certain number of registered voters in the state. While Tennessee requires only 25 signatures, in Montana the figure is 5% of all registered voters. This takes time and money.

Third-party candidates are generally short of resources - especially financial resources. They find fundraising difficult. People are reluctant to give money to parties they see as sure losers, creating something of a 'catch 22' situation.