7 Challenges and Opportunities for Independent Presidential Candidates

“Until you have run, as I did, outside the two major parties, it is impossible to imagine the injustices of the two-party-tilted electoral process.” ~ John Anderson, past independent presidential candidate and former chair of the Center for Voting and Democracy

U.S. independent political candidates run up against a number of obstacles that make running for federal office a daunting proposition. While major-party candidates have the backing of well-oiled political machinery, independents face significant challenges that range from ballot access issues to the two-party system's overwhelming dominance in the media and the minds of voters. 

Even prominent establishment names like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. have attempted independent bids, bringing the conversation around independent presidential candidates renewed attention. Yet success on a national scale remains elusive for those outside the established party framework, despite the fact that a majority of Americans now identify as independents.

Why is it so difficult for even top independent presidential candidates to break through on a national level, and what can be done to change this dynamic?

4 Challenges Facing Independent Presidential Candidates

Independent candidates face a unique uphill battle in American politics. Although there are notable examples of relatively successful independent presidential candidates from history, such as Ross Perot in 1992, most struggle to gain traction. Below, we’ll explore the main challenges these candidates face when running for the highest office in the land.

Challenge #1: The Dominance of the Two-Party System

The current two-party system has dominated politics for more than a century, creating institutional barriers that make it difficult for independent candidates to compete. Both the Democratic and Republican parties have vast resources, loyal voter bases, and deeply entrenched infrastructures that provide them with a significant advantage. 

This deeply entrenched political system shapes voter perceptions, limits media coverage of alternative candidates, and creates a voting mentality where citizens feel compelled to vote for "the lesser of two evils" rather than risk supporting a third option.

But these exercises in political harm reduction aren’t just about voter preference; they also reflect how our election system is structured.

Most U.S. elections operate under a "first-past-the-post" system, where the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority. This system discourages voting for independent or third-party candidates, as people fear "wasting" their votes. Until structural changes are made, the two-party system will continue dominating the political landscape, making it hard for independent presidential candidates to be taken seriously.

Challenge #2: Independent Candidates and the Electoral College

Another significant hurdle for independent presidential candidates is the Electoral College, the mechanism by which U.S. presidents are elected. This outdated system requires candidates to win a majority of electoral votes across individual states. Most states use a winner-take-all approach, meaning that even if an independent candidate does well in certain areas, they often walk away with no electoral votes unless they can win an entire state.

In fact, the last independent candidate to win any Electoral College votes at all was former Alabama governor, George Wallace, in 1968. As a candidate for the American Independent Party, Wallace won five southern states and a total of 46 Electoral College votes amidst the backlash of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Given that the major parties have historically had a lock on key battleground states, independent presidential candidates face an incredibly difficult path to victory. Not only must they perform well nationally, but they must also be strategic in securing states with significant electoral votes — a feat that requires immense resources and name recognition, both of which independent candidates typically lack.

Challenge #3: Ballot Access and Other Barriers to Entry

One of the lesser-known but equally formidable challenges for independent presidential candidates is ballot access. Unlike major-party candidates, who are automatically listed on the ballot in all 50 states, independents must meet a patchwork of state-specific requirements to qualify. These requirements range from gathering thousands of signatures to paying steep filing fees, making it a time-consuming and expensive endeavor.

Many states also have “sore loser” laws, which prevent a candidate who lost in a party primary from running as an independent in the general election. These laws further limit the options for candidates who may wish to challenge the two-party system after failing to secure a party’s nomination. This combination of high hurdles and bureaucratic red tape makes it difficult for independent presidential candidates to even appear on the ballot in all states.

Challenge #4: Media Coverage and Public Perception

Media bias toward the two major parties poses another major challenge. Coverage of presidential campaigns is often limited to Democratic and Republican candidates, leaving independents out of the conversation. Even when independent presidential candidates are covered, they’re often treated as novelty figures or spoilers rather than viable contenders.

Public perception also plays a role. Voters are conditioned to believe that independent presidential candidates can’t win, making it harder for these candidates to generate the support and fundraising necessary for a serious campaign. Overcoming this perception requires a significant cultural shift, one that will likely take time and grassroots organizing to achieve.

3 New Opportunities for Independent Presidential Candidates

Despite these formidable obstacles, the political landscape is changing. Increasing dissatisfaction with the two-party system, a more engaged electorate, and the rise of digital platforms creates new opportunities for independent presidential candidates.

Opportunity #1: Growing Support for Independent Candidates

Polling in recent years has shown that a significant portion of the electorate is frustrated with the two-party system. According to Gallup, 43% of Americans identified as independent in 2023. In June 2024, this number hit an all-time high, with Gallup reporting that 51% of those surveyed identified as political independents. This trend has been growing for decades, remaining consistently above 40% since 2011.

This level of dissatisfaction opens the door for independent candidates to capitalize on voters' disillusionment with traditional party politics. The polarization of American politics has also left many voters in the center feeling unrepresented by either major party, creating space for candidates who can appeal to moderates and other voting blocs.

Problems with the entrenchment of the two-party system have also tempted former establishment political leaders to test the waters of the independent political movement. 

In addition to former Democratic stalwart, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. who left the party to run as an independent in 2024 before dropping out and backing the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, prominent politicians from both parties have taken the independent route in their quest for the nation’s highest office. Several have even launched minor parties of their own that continue to field candidates for local and national offices. 

Examples include:

• Theodore Roosevelt: A Republican and the 26th U.S. president, Roosevelt ran in 1912 as a nominee for the Bull Moose Party. This iteration of the Progressive Party was meant to challenge the increasingly conservative Republicans.

• Strom Thurman: The former Democratic governor of South Carolina (1947 - 1951), Thurman left the party to form the Dixiecrat Party and run as its presidential candidate in the 1948 presidential election. He then served as senator representing South Carolina as a Republican from 1954 until his death at age 100 in 2003. 

• John Anderson: A former Republican congressman representing Illinois, Anderson ran for president as an independent in 1980. He hoped to provide voters with an alternative to the establishment options of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. 

• Pat Buchanan: Buchanan, who served as White House communications director under President Ronald Reagan from 1985 - 1987, left the Republican Party in 1999. He then ran as the Reform Party nominee in the 2000 presidential elections. 

Notable independent and minor-party candidates for the 2024 election cycle include:

• Jill Stein (Green Party)

• Chase Oliver (Libertarian Party)

• Randall Terry (Constitution Party)

• Cornel West (Independent)

Opportunity #2: The Power of Raising Awareness

The rise of social media and other digital platforms has democratized political communication. Independent candidates no longer need to rely solely on traditional media outlets to get their message across. This increased access to the public can even shift the Overton Window away from formerly “fringe” policy positions and make them more palatable to voters.

While the challenge of gaining widespread media attention remains, the digital age provides more avenues for independent candidates to bypass traditional gatekeepers and speak directly to voters. Social media, email campaigns, and grassroots organizing can help candidates build a following and raise funds without the backing of a major political machine. 

Opportunity #3: How the Independent Movement Can Grow from the Ground Up

While the presidency is the highest office in the land, it is not the best starting point for building an independent political movement. Successful political movements are often built from the ground up, not the top down. This is where the real potential for change lies for independent candidates. 

That’s why GoodParty.org is focused on empowering independent candidates at the local level. These candidates are running for offices like:

• Mayor

• City council

• School board

• County commissioner

• State representative

Learn more about how we’re powering change from the ground up.

Reasons to Support Local Independent Candidates

Building a strong base of support starts at the local level. Independent candidates have a much better chance of success in local and state elections, where they can connect directly with voters and address issues specific to their communities. 

Many local offices are non-partisan, which provides an opportunity for unaffiliated candidates to connect with voters on a more personal level and impact their communities without the baggage of partisan politics. Electing independent mayors, city council members, and state legislators helps create a foundation of support that can eventually lead to more competitive independent bids for higher office, including the presidency.

By encouraging voters to support independent candidates at the local level, the independent movement will gain momentum over time. These local victories can help change public perception and build the infrastructure necessary to support future independent presidential candidates.

Get Involved

Independent presidential candidates face a variety of challenges ranging from the dominance of the two-party system to barriers to ballot access and the Electoral College. However, as public dissatisfaction with the major parties grows, so too does the opportunity for independents to build a movement from the ground up. 

By supporting local independent candidates and leveraging the power of digital communication, the independent movement can grow and eventually present a viable alternative in national elections. 

Independent candidates may not yet have a clear path to the presidency, but the potential for long-term success lies in fostering change at the grassroots level.