For centuries, the United States has had a two-party political system. Democrats and Republicans dominate every respect of American politics, from the ballot boxes to the seats in Congress. While this may have been meaningful in the past, many people, including myself, feel that it has become outdated, and is no longer capable of representing all of the political views of the American people. Yet, for people who have tried to challenge this system by running as independents, this road is almost impossible to cross. There are significant challenges and barriers that prevent independent candidates from having success in elections.
For those who have tried to run as independent candidates, it has not been easy. This is due to things like not having access to the ballot in every state, rules during debates, and the Electoral College, which are meant to protect the two-party system.
The stories of Ross Perot, Oz Greibel, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. all highlight these challenges. Perot got the country’s attention when he ran in the 1992 presidential election when he sent a message that there needed to be more fiscal responsibility in Washington D.C. He earned 19% of the popular vote, which is the highest amount for an independent candidate in history. However, despite having success in the beginning of his campaign, the two-party system essentially eliminated it. He was later excluded from the 1996 presidential debates, which is another example of how independents are disadvantaged.
Griebel’s campaign to be governor of Connecticut in 2018 is another instance of independents being unable to have success in elections. He was a former Republican who ran as an independent candidate to give voters an alternative option to the two main candidates. Despite his qualifications and ideas, Griebel’s campaign did not receive a lot of media coverage and faced a lack of funding, and like Perot, he was excluded from many of the debates because of polling criteria. He did not even come close to winning the election, but it is worth noting that this was a huge disservice to the Connecticut residents because they may have been able to hear a fresh perspective from a candidate who was not from the traditional political parties.
Most recently, Kennedy’s decision to run as an independent in the 2024 presidential election has sparked discussions about the potential for a third-party candidate. Kennedy, who comes from one of the most famous political families in the United States, has received criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. During his campaign, Donald Trump’s team argued that he would take votes away from him, while Democrats said that he would be a spoiler for the main candidates. They likely used this to discourage voters from picking a third-party candidate. Kennedy was unable to get his name onto the ballot in all 50 states, so he eventually suspended his campaign and went to work with Trump.
On the other hand, independent candidates can sometimes find success. For example, late former Connecticut Governor Lowell P. Weicker successfully ran and got elected in 1991. To this day, he is the only independent governor in state history.
The two-party system is no longer effective. Millions of Americans now don’t have a political voice because it is now an area of division, fraud, and inefficiency. The tales of Perot, Griebel, and Kennedy all show that there is a need for alternative choices even though running as an independent is currently a losing struggle. We can create a fairer and more welcoming democracy by putting in legislative reforms and giving independents and third parties a greater voice. Returning to our democracy that serves the people and overcoming the two-party system is essential.
