With our winner-takes-all elections consigning them to the margins or casting them as spoilers, third-party candidates are typically a political afterthought. But in the coming election, RFK Jr., Jill Stein, and Cornel West—none of whom stand a chance of becoming our next president—could play a central role in restoring Donald Trump to the White House. With the former president making his autocratic intentions for a second term clear, potential supporters of outsider candidates must decide if this is the moment to vote against the two-party system, or if it is more important to directly weigh in on Joe Biden and Trump’s high-stakes rematch. Their choices might determine not only the outcome of the election—but the fate of the country.
Will RFK Jr. and Other Third-Party Candidates Help Doom Democracy?
It’s tough to break the partisan duopoly without empowering spoilers.
Ralph Nader Would Like to Stop Having to Explain Why the Spoiler Coverage Is Stupid
A conversation on third-party politics with the former presidential candidate.
Outside Influence: A Third Party Timeline
Discover a high-stakes history of righteous outrage and electoral opportunism.
The Spectacular Implosion of the Libertarian Party
Eight years ago, America’s third-largest party had its best-ever showing. Then came the fallout.
Your Turn: Mother Jones Readers Sound Off on Voting Third Party
"Why screw up the most important election in a century?"
