Has a third party won a state in a presidential election?

The last third-party candidate to win a state was George Wallace of the American Independent Party in 1968, while the last third-party candidate to win more than 5.0\% of the vote was Ross Perot, who ran as an independent and as the standard-bearer of the Reform Party in 1992 and 1996, respectively; the closest since …

Can a third party win in the United States?

Although third- party candidates rarely actually win elections, they can have an effect on them. If they do well, then they are often accused of having a spoiler effect. Sometimes, they have won votes in the electoral college, as in the 1832 Presidential election.

Has a third party candidate ever won an electoral vote?

In the 59 presidential elections since 1788, third party or independent candidates have won at least 5.0\% of the vote or garnered electoral votes 12 times (21\%); this does not count George Washington, who was elected as an independent in 1788–1789 and 1792, but who largely supported Federalist policies and was …

Can a third party prevent a candidate from reaching 270 electoral votes?

However, much of the same would come into play if a third party or independent candidate wins enough electoral votes to prevent any candidate in the race from reaching 270. The 2020 interactive electoral college map allows you to assign electoral votes to a 3rd party. It takes 270toWin.

Are third parties self-defeating prophecies?

A third party that gains enough power to win electoral votes virtually assures that no candidate will get to 270. This is effectively a self-defeating prophecy situation, in that the perception of a third party will be a “spoiler” works against the third party winning those electoral votes in the first place.

What happens if no candidate wins 270 electoral votes?

The Congress meets in joint session on January 6, 2021^ to count the electoral votes (this count happens whether the election is close or not). If no candidate has reached 270 Electoral Votes, then the House and Senate take over and elect the President and Vice-President, respectively.

What if there is a 269-269 tie in the Electoral College?

Note that the discussion on this page is mostly written around a 269-269 tie between two candidates. However, much of the same would come into play if a third party or independent candidate wins enough electoral votes to prevent any candidate in the race from reaching 270.