List of third-party and independent performances in United States presidential elections

This page contains four lists of third-party and independent performances in United States presidential elections:

1. National results for third-party or independent presidential candidates that won above 5% of the popular vote (1788–present)
2. National results for third-party or independent presidential candidates that won between 1% and 5% of the popular vote (1788–present)
3. State results where a third-party or independent presidential candidate won above 5% of the popular vote (1832–present)
4. State results where a major-party candidate received above 1% of the state popular vote from a third party cross-endorsement (1896–present)

It is rare for candidates, other than those of the six parties which have succeeded as major parties (Federalist Party, Democratic-Republican Party, National Republican Party, Democratic Party, Whig Party, Republican Party), to take large shares of the vote in elections.

As of 2023, the last third party presidential candidate to win an electoral vote was George Wallace of the American Independent Party, who won five states in 1968.

National results

Above 5% (1788–present)

This list includes the third-party candidates that captured at least one state and/or more than 5% of the popular vote.

Gallery

Above 1% (1788–present)

This list includes the third-party candidates that captured less than 5% but more than 1% of the popular vote and no electoral votes.

Gallery

By state

Third-party and independent candidates (1832–present)

This list includes the statewide performance of third-party candidates not included in the lists above who accrued 5% or more of a state's popular vote.

Many third-party candidates have run under different affiliations in different states. They do this for many reasons, including laws restricting ballot access, cross-endorsements by other established parties, etc. In the list below, the party column shows which of a given candidate's affiliation(s) appeared on the ballot in which corresponding state(s).

1832–1860

1864–1900

1904–1940

1944–1980

1984–present

Cross-endorsement major candidates (1896–present)

This list includes the statewide performance of each major party candidate who ran on the ballot line of a political party other than their own, either through electoral fusion or for other reasons. This list does not include cases where a third party shares the same ballot line as a major party. The vote totals and percentages listed are those each candidate received under a particular third-party label.

Electoral fusion was once widespread in the United States. As of 2022, electoral fusion as conventionally understood by historians and political scientists is fully legal in only two states: Connecticut and New York. It is partially legal in three others; Pennsylvania and Maryland permit fusion in certain elections (including judicial elections), and California allows fusion in presidential elections only.

References