Post by BobWilliston on Dec 3, 2014 19:01:41 GMT -5
It's virtually impossible for a third party to get elected to the White House. Because the law provides that the Democratic presidential candidate and the Republican candidate are automatically put on the ballot in all 50 states. But if a third party wants to run a candidate for president they the candidate has to appear in person in each individual state capital to register (or whatever they call it). With 50 states, that makes it virtually a two month job for the one candidate.
The parties that are on the ballots can qualify in a number of ways. For example, in some states any registered political party can gain ballot access by getting signatures equal to a certain percentage of the votes cast in some previous election - perhaps 1% of the votes cast in the preceding election for governor. The person who that party nominates for the election will then be on the ballot. There is not need to appear in person. The two or three major parties are on the ballots because they routinely get more than the minimum percent of the vote (perhaps 5%) that is required for them to continue to be granted ballot access.
If it is a grass-roots organization getting the required signatures it is much easier if there is a face to present when asking for support.
However, without organizations in place gaining ballot access is a difficult task.
You're right, but I was talking only about presidential candidates. That's why 3rd party presidential candidates virtually never appear on the ballots in all 50 states. Some people in Nevada were quite ticked off the last time a third party candidate ran because they couldn't find him on the ballot.