Page "Third party (United States)" Paragraph 63

Although third party candidates rarely actually win elections, they can have an effect on them.

If they do well, they are often accused of having a spoiler effect.

Sometimes they have won votes in the electoral college, as in the 1832 Presidential election.

They can draw attention to issues that may be ignored by the majority parties.

If such an issue finds acceptance with the voters, one or more of the major parties may adopt the issue into its own party platform.

Also, a third party may be used by the voter to cast a protest vote as a form of referendum on an important issue.

Third parties may also help voter turnout by bringing more people to the polls.

Third party candidates at the top of the ticket can help to draw attention to other party candidates down the ballot, helping them to win local or state office.

In 2004 the U. S. electorate consisted of an estimated 43 % registered Democrats and 33 % registered Republicans, with independents and those belonging to other parties constituting 25 %.