Who are the third-party candidates and how will they affect the US polls? Everything is deciphered

While Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump are engaged in a heated debate on various election issues, several independent and third-party candidates are also running in the 2024 US presidential race. While the focus has primarily been on the two main candidates, these additional contenders are making their voices heard during the voting.

Cornel West (Age: 71 | Independent)

Cornel West is a prominent independent candidate and respected scholar and activist who launched his campaign in June 2023. Although he initially sought to run for the Green Party, West eventually decided to run as an independent candidate with Melina Abdullah as his running mate. His campaign found support among voters disillusioned with President Joe Biden’s stance on Israel’s military action in Gaza. The West advocates substantial reforms, including a permanent ceasefire in the region, an end to military aid to Ukraine, and the introduction of universal health care.

Jill Stein (age: 74 | Green Party)

Jill Stein, who represents the Green Party, is another key candidate. Working as Cornel West’s campaign manager, she launched her own campaign after West switched to running as an independent. Stein’s platform prioritizes environmental issues, advocating tougher climate policies than those proposed by mainstream Democrats. Her proposals include ending US support for Israel, providing free public education and canceling medical debt. Stein has attracted media attention for her activism, including her recent arrest during protests calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Chase Oliver (Age: 39 | Libertarian Party)

Chase Oliver, the candidate for the Libertarian Party, completes the list of candidates. A former activist and restaurant worker, he was nominated by his party after a competitive convention. Oliver criticized both major candidates, advocating simplification of immigration processes and a shift away from foreign conflicts. His campaign supports drug decriminalization and the dissolution of the Federal Reserve.

Claudia De la Cruz (Age: 42 | PSL)

Claudia De la Cruz is running for the US presidency in 2024 with the Party of Socialism and Liberation (PSL). Raised in the South Bronx by immigrant Dominican parents, she is a community organizer, educator, and theologian who advocates for systemic change through socialism. Her platform includes proposals for reparations for black Americans, single-payer health care for all, a drastic 90% cut in the US military budget, and the nationalization of the 100 largest corporations to promote economic democracy. De la Cruz also recognizes Native American sovereignty and has voting rights in 19 states and registered status in 13 others.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Age: 70 | Independent)

Originally a contender in the Democratic primary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. later switched to the independent candidacy. Despite suspending his campaign in August 2024 and supporting Trump, he continues to attract interest. His campaign centered around issues such as government spending and foreign interference. The US Supreme Court recently rejected a former independent candidate’s request to remove his name from the ballot in Wisconsin and Michigan for the Nov. 5 election.

The influence of third-party candidates on our polls

Every state will feature at least one independent or third-party candidate this November. Thinking of voting for one? If so, you are not alone.

As the election approaches, various candidates are making final appeals to voters. In addition to the major party candidates — former President Donald Trump of the Republicans and Vice President Kamala Harris of the Democrats — several independent and independent candidates are available, including Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Libertarian Chase Oliver and independent candidate Cornel West. and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Although experts say third-party candidates are unlikely to win the presidency, they can significantly influence the election by affecting the chances of major party candidates. Some argue that these candidates are spoilers, taking votes away from one of the frontrunners. Others argue that they provide much-needed choice and force major-party candidates to address issues that might otherwise be overlooked.

If you’re not sure how your vote will affect the broader election, you might wonder if Green Party support might inadvertently help Trump by taking votes away from Harris. Experts suggest that the consequences may vary depending on the condition.

Why are third-party candidates considered spoilers?

You may have heard claims that outside candidates have changed the outcome of past elections, such as Ralph Nader’s effect on Al Gore in 2000 or Jill Stein’s effect on Hillary Clinton in 2016. However, the validity of these claims is debatable.

Major-party candidates often worry that third-party candidates will siphon off votes that could have gone their way, ultimately costing them the election. However, the dynamics are more complex.

According to Bernard Tamas, a political science professor at Valdosta State University, the influence of third-party candidates depends on their appeal and the competitiveness of the race. He points out that just because someone supports a third-party candidate, such as a Green Party candidate, doesn’t mean they would automatically vote for Harris if the option wasn’t available. Many voters who are attracted to third-party candidates may not even vote without this choice, and their political preferences may vary, making it difficult to predict their voting behavior.

How can your vote affect the election?

Living in a volatile state means your vote is critical in a tight race. If you choose to support a third-party candidate, the question arises as to who it might help or hinder. Experts point out that voting for a third-party candidate in these competitive states could pose a greater risk to Harris.

Casey Burgat, associate professor and director of the legislative affairs program at George Washington University, says Democrats tend to be more vulnerable to third-party votes in swing states. He explains that a candidate like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could draw support from voters across party lines, but historically the effect on Democrats has been more pronounced.

He cites the 2016 election, where some Democratic strategists argue that votes for Stein in key states contributed to Trump’s victory over Clinton. According to Burgat, if candidates like Stein or West build loyal supporters in key swing states, we could see a repeat of that scenario, with third-party candidates effectively acting as spoilers for the Democratic nominee.

Third-party voting in a red state

In solidly red states, the choice of a third-party candidate is unlikely to significantly change the overall outcome of the election. While a strong libertarian or conservative candidate could attract voters dissatisfied with Trump or the GOP candidate, the overall results are expected to favor the GOP, even with some influence from third-party candidates.

Burgat notes that voters in those states rarely abandon the Republican nominee, though those disillusioned with Trump’s approach may consider a libertarian or independent conservative alternative.

Third-party voting in a blue state

If you live in a predominantly blue state and vote for a third-party candidate, your vote is unlikely to affect the overall outcome of the election, but could potentially sway support for Harris. Burgat notes that candidates like Stein and West could appeal to voters who are unhappy with the politics of the moderate left.

Kennedy Jr. could attract a wide range of disillusioned voters, making it difficult to determine which party he could get votes from. However, in these states, the Democratic Party’s lead is usually quite large, so the influence of third-party candidates is generally minimal.

However, if the major parties do not reflect your beliefs, you are not alone. While a majority of voters may support the Democratic candidate, there may be a significant number of protest votes for candidates such as West or Stein, especially among younger or more progressive voters.