The Struggle of Third-Party Success in American Politics

Much has been said about the dominant role of the Democratic and Republican parties in U.S. politics. However, the assumption that the U.S. has a 'two-party system' is often an unfounded one. While it is true that these two parties hold a significant majority of political power, the barriers to entry for third parties are formidable and multifaceted.

Challenges in the U.S. Electoral System

The structure of the U.S. electoral system presents significant hurdles for third parties. Primarily, the use of single-member districts (SMD) combined with the plurality winner (first-past-the-post) system:

Single-member districts ensure that only the candidate with the most votes in a given district wins representation. This means that even if a candidate comes in second, their votes are essentially wasted. The plurality system allows a candidate to win with less than a majority of the vote, meaning that many voters might have been opposed to the winner.

These practices incentivize parties to join forces or merge to maximize their collective vote share and election chances.

Strictures of Ballot Access

Ballot access is another significant barrier to third parties in the U.S.:

Historical performance and petition signatures are required to get a party on the ballot, which often favor established parties. Laws are typically made by the major parties, meaning that they often exclude their own challengers.

These restrictions require third parties to divert resources to simply gaining ballot access, rather than campaigning or promoting their candidates.

Campaign Finance and Media Coverage

Campaign finance and media coverage also play crucial roles in the success or failure of third parties:

The costs of running a political campaign, especially for presidential races, are extraordinarily high. This makes it difficult for third parties to compete. Media coverage is often limited or non-existent for third-party candidates. The Washington Post, for instance, did not assign reporters to cover third-party candidates in the early 2000s. The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) further exacerbates this by excluding candidates who do not meet certain thresholds of media coverage and support.

Without media coverage or substantial funding, third-party candidates find it challenging to gain visibility and support.

Legacy and the Dive of History

The historical dominance of the Democratic and Republican parties adds another layer of difficulty:

Since the Civil War, only Democrats and Republicans have held the presidency, with a few exceptions. Third parties have not represented Congress in over a century, which contributes to the idea that a two-party system is irrevocable.

The persistence of this narrative further discourages potential voters and candidates from supporting third parties.

Put together, these challenges create a significant barrier to third-party success, making it rare for such parties to even reach the state legislative level, let alone compete for the presidency or full representation in Congress.

The U.S. political system remains heavily tilted towards the major parties, but with a deeper understanding of these barriers, the path to change and increased political diversity becomes more apparent.