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AP US Government
Unit 5 Overview: Political Participation
5.1 Voting Rights and Models of Voting Behaviour
5.2 Voter Turnout
5.3 Political Parties
5.4 How and Why Political Parties Change
5.5 Third-Party Politics
5.6 Interest Groups Influencing Policy Making
5.7 Groups Influencing Policy Outcomes
5.8 Electing a President
5.9 Congressional Elections
5.10 Modern Campaigns
5.11 Campaign Finance
5.12 The Media
5.13 Changing Media
5.14 Multiple Choice Questions
5.15 MC Answers and Review

👩🏾‍⚖️ap us government review

5.5 Third-Party Politics

Verified for the 2025 AP US Government exam•Last Updated on March 3, 2025

Winner-Take-All vs Proportional Voting

The United States is rooted in a two-party political system that strongly limits the potential electoral success of third parties. Although third parties 🥉 often play a significant role in the election process, they rarely experience success on a large scale, especially in federal elections. Most elections in the United States, including elections for single-member district seats in the House of Representatives, are determined by a winner-take-all 💯 system. This means that candidates who win a plurality (the most votes—with or without a majority) of the votes are rewarded with full representation within a congressional district. 

The winner-take-all 💯system is also used as part of the Electoral College 🏫 for determining the winning candidate in presidential elections. Each state has a set number of electors, and all but two states (Maine and Nebraska) award electors using the winner-take-all system—candidates that win a plurality of a state’s popular vote are awarded all of that state’s electoral votes. In the example in the chart below, the Democratic Party 🟦 candidate wins the election—and 100% representation in the district—with less than a majority of the vote. 

2020 Presidential ElectionsDemocraticRepublican
North Carolina48.59% popular vote / 0 electoral votes49.93% popular vote / 15 electoral votes
Georgia49.47% popular vote / 16 electoral votes49.24% popular vote / 0 electoral votes

Parties other than the leading ones, despite receiving a significant share of the votes, miss out on serving within the district because of the winner-take-all 💯 format. This discourages third party candidates 🥉 from running for office because they have virtually no chance of winning a state’s popular vote. This reality also discourages many voters from voting for third party candidates because they believe they’re essentially “throwing away” 🗑 their votes to an inevitably losing candidate.

Look at these examples: Ross Perot of the Reform Party won 8.4% of votes, but not a single Electoral College vote in the 1996 Presidential Elections. Interestingly, he was able to get 18.91% of votes in 1992 as an independent candidate (not backed by any political party) and still failed to win a single electoral vote. The last time a third-party candidate won an Electoral College vote was in 1968 when George Wallace of the American Independent Party won 46 electoral votes (still far from the 301 with which Nixon won, but still substantial, given that Wallace was neither a Democratic nor a Republican candidate.

Incorporation of Third-Party Agendas

A non-structural barrier impeding the potential success of third parties 🥉 is the incorporation of third party agendas by the Democratic 🟦 and Republican 🟥 parties. Despite their limited success in winning elections, third parties sometimes are able to significantly influence policy and election outcomes. In an effort to attract independent and third party voters, the major parties will often include major third party agenda items into their platforms. 

When third-party agendas are incorporated into the platforms of major political parties, the third-party's unique issues and perspectives can become diluted or obscured. This can reduce the appeal of third-party and independent candidates to voters who are looking for a distinct alternative to the two major parties. 

Although this practice makes it even more difficult for third party candidates to win elections, it can lead to significant social changes. If the Democratic 🟦 and Republican 🟥 parties ignore third party agendas for a prolonged period of time, they run the risk of third parties continuing to gain in popularity, posing electoral risks in future elections. 

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Key Terms to Review (18)

American Independent Party: The American Independent Party is a political party in the United States that was founded in 1967, primarily as a response to perceived liberal policies within the major parties. It gained national attention during the 1968 presidential election, when its candidate, George Wallace, ran on a platform advocating for states' rights and segregationist policies. This party exemplifies the impact of third-party politics by highlighting the divisions within American society and the challenges faced by alternative parties in gaining significant traction in a predominantly two-party system.
Democratic Party: The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States, founded in the early 19th century, with a strong commitment to social equality, environmental protection, and government intervention in the economy. The party has evolved over time, reflecting changes in political ideologies and responding to various social movements, which influences its stance on issues like healthcare, education, and civil rights.
1968 Electoral Vote: The 1968 Electoral Vote refers to the electoral results of the United States presidential election held on November 5, 1968, where Richard Nixon of the Republican Party won against Hubert Humphrey of the Democratic Party and George Wallace of the American Independent Party. This election was significant as it highlighted the fragmentation of American politics and showcased the impact of third-party candidates in shaping election outcomes. The presence of Wallace's strong showing in the South and Nixon's narrow victory reflected a shift in political loyalties and growing discontent with traditional party politics.
Electoral College: The Electoral College is a unique system established in the U.S. Constitution for electing the President and Vice President, consisting of 538 electors who represent the states. This mechanism was created to balance the influence of populous states with less populated ones and reflects the federal structure of government, where states play a critical role in national elections.
George Wallace: George Wallace was an American politician who served as the Governor of Alabama and became a prominent figure in the third-party political landscape during the 1960s and 1970s. He is best known for his staunch pro-segregation stance and his attempts to maintain racial segregation in schools and public facilities, which resonated with many white voters in the South. Wallace's campaigns for the presidency, particularly in 1968, highlighted the challenges faced by traditional two-party politics, as he sought to mobilize discontented voters dissatisfied with the existing political establishment.
Incorporation of Third-Party Agendas: Incorporation of Third-Party Agendas refers to the practice where mainstream political parties integrate ideas, policies, or platforms from third-party movements into their own agendas to attract a broader voter base. This phenomenon often occurs when third-party candidates raise issues that resonate with a significant portion of the electorate, prompting major parties to adopt those themes in order to remain competitive and relevant.
Independent Candidate: An independent candidate is a political candidate who does not belong to any established political party and runs for office without formal affiliation to the major party systems. These candidates often seek to provide an alternative to the traditional party nominees, representing the interests of voters who may feel unrepresented by the dominant parties. Independent candidates can have a significant impact on elections by drawing votes away from major party candidates and sometimes influencing policy discussions.
Plurality: Plurality refers to a voting system where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not achieve an absolute majority (more than 50%). This system is often used in elections for single-member districts and can significantly impact the success of third-party candidates. In a plurality system, a candidate can win without securing majority support, leading to discussions about the effectiveness and fairness of such electoral outcomes.
2020 Presidential Elections: The 2020 Presidential Elections were a significant political event in the United States where voters elected Joe Biden as the 46th president, defeating the incumbent, Donald Trump. This election was marked by high voter turnout and unprecedented use of mail-in voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The elections also highlighted the role of third-party candidates who, while not winning significant electoral votes, influenced the political discourse and voter behavior.
1996 Presidential Elections: The 1996 Presidential Elections were a pivotal moment in American politics, featuring the re-election of President Bill Clinton against Republican challenger Bob Dole. This election is notable for the significant role played by third-party candidate Ross Perot, who had previously run in 1992 and managed to capture a portion of the vote again in 1996, impacting the dynamics between the major parties. The election showcased the complexities of voter behavior and the influence that third-party candidates can exert on national elections.
Proportional Voting: Proportional voting is an electoral system where parties gain seats in the legislature in direct proportion to the number of votes they receive. This method contrasts with winner-takes-all systems, allowing for a more accurate reflection of the electorate's preferences and enabling smaller parties to gain representation, which is especially significant in the context of third-party politics.
Reform Party: The Reform Party is a political party in the United States that was founded in 1995, primarily focusing on reducing the influence of special interests in government, advocating for government reform, and promoting fiscal responsibility. The party emerged as a response to widespread dissatisfaction with the existing two-party system and aimed to attract voters who felt unrepresented by both the Democrats and Republicans, highlighting issues such as campaign finance reform and immigration control.
Republican Party: The Republican Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States, founded in 1854, primarily to oppose the expansion of slavery into the territories. It has evolved over time, representing a wide range of ideologies and policy positions, often emphasizing limited government, free markets, individual liberties, and a strong national defense. This party's development and ideological shifts connect to significant historical events, influence third-party dynamics, and play a role in how various groups attempt to sway policy outcomes.
Ross Perot: Ross Perot was a successful American businessman and politician who gained national prominence as a third-party candidate in the 1992 and 1996 presidential elections. He is known for his unique approach to campaigning, focusing on issues like fiscal responsibility and government reform, which resonated with many voters disillusioned by the two major parties. Perot's candidacy highlighted the potential impact of third-party movements on American politics and demonstrated how independent candidates can influence the national discourse.
Single-Member District: A single-member district is an electoral district that elects one representative to a legislative body. This system is commonly used in the United States for congressional elections and tends to favor a two-party system, often making it challenging for third parties to gain traction and win seats.
Third Parties: Third parties are political organizations that operate alongside the dominant two parties in a political system, typically representing alternative ideologies and interests. They play a critical role in shaping political discourse, influencing major party platforms, and encouraging voter engagement by providing choices beyond the mainstream options. Despite their challenges in winning elections, third parties contribute to a more diverse political landscape.
Two-Party Political System: A two-party political system is a political structure in which two major parties dominate the electoral landscape, influencing both policy-making and governance. This system often results in a political landscape where third parties struggle to gain traction and visibility, as the majority of voters typically align with one of the two dominant parties. Consequently, the presence of third parties may lead to discussions about their impact on elections, voter choice, and the overall health of democracy.
Winner-Take-All System: The Winner-Take-All System is an electoral process where the candidate who receives the most votes in a particular state wins all of that state's electoral votes. This system is primarily used in the United States during presidential elections and plays a significant role in shaping the dynamics of campaign strategies, party competition, and the viability of third-party candidates.
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5.6 Interest Groups Influencing Policy Making