In 1796, as George Washington was stepping down as America’s first president, he wrote a 7,641-word document warning Congress against establishing a two-party system. He feared that people would prioritize their political affiliations over the nation’s interests. Yet, nearly two centuries later, America has ended up with a two-party system that has left the populace more polarized than ever. With most individuals aligning either left or right, there is little room for those in between to be represented.
This polarization is evident in the current presidential race between Democratic candidate President Joe Biden and Republican candidate Donald Trump. In 2020, Americans faced a tough choice between the two, ultimately electing Biden. Four years later, they face an even harsher dilemma: choosing between a convicted felon and an aging president with disoriented speech and conduct.
With the recent news of Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race after pressure from his party, it seems the Democrats may now have a fighting chance against Trump with Vice President Kamala Harris as their new presidential candidate. Although it appears that Harris and Trump are the only candidates running due to the two-party system, it’s important to note that third-party candidates are also in the race.
Third-party candidates are members of Congress who are neither affiliated with the Democrats nor Republicans and are running on different platforms. The list below highlights the current third-party candidates running for president.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – Independent
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, initially entered the race as a Democratic candidate against President Joe Biden before switching to an Independent, criticizing the current two-party system. Kennedy Jr. has caused much controversy with his false claims about vaccines and COVID-19. Some of his campaign promises include withdrawing U.S. support for Ukraine and enforcing a five-year lobbying ban on former government officials.
Jill Stein – Green Party
This wouldn’t be the first time Jill Stein has run for president. She previously ran as a member of the Green Party in 2012 and 2016. Back again in 2024, Stein advocates for free public education from Pre-K to college and wants to pull U.S. support for Israel and Ukraine. She is also an environmental activist who has proposed a policy for the U.S. to achieve zero carbon emissions at a faster pace.
Dr. Cornel West – Independent
Dr. Cornel West, a former professor at Harvard University and the first Black person to receive a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Princeton University, is an activist in the Black community who seeks to end poverty and provide reparations to all Black U.S. citizens. Running as an Independent, Dr. West promises policies for and by the people, unlike political parties that are subject to corporations and special interest groups.
Chase Oliver – Libertarian Party
Chase Oliver, the youngest person running for president at age 38, secured the Libertarian Party nomination over Donald Trump and RFK Jr. As an openly gay anti-war activist, Oliver opposes U.S. support of Ukraine and Israel. He promises to withdraw U.S. aid from foreign conflicts and advocates for decriminalizing marijuana use and pardoning all non-violent drug offenders.Because of the two-party system, these candidates don’t stand a chance against Trump and Harris at the polls.
This highlights the unfairness of our current system, which gives Americans limited options to select a president and doesn’t give candidates from other parties a fighting chance. Even when Americans vote for third-party candidates, the likelihood of them winning is so slim that the choice is criticized. Americans shouldn’t have to choose between the lesser of two evils, yet that is where we have landed.
About the Author: Oyindamola Bamgbola is a Nigerian-born freelance writer whose work has been featured in Buzzfeed, Byrdie, and Shondaland. She enjoys writing about entertainment, pop culture, and social issues.