WASHINGTON, D.C. —- As the 2024 Presidential election shapes up to be a replay of Biden vs. Trump, many Americans feel as though they are living in Groundhog Day, witnessing a repeating cycle of the same political characters year after year. The two-party system in this nation has remained in power for generations, leaving many Americans asking each year if there are other choices. The answer is yes.
Every election, numerous third-party and independent candidates vie for the same positions as mainstream party candidates. However, due to the makeup of the American Electoral system, these candidates are either prevented from getting on the ballot in their respective states or their third party is not even recognized by mainstream media.
Imagine if instead of a Republican and Democrat Presidential debate, we saw equal opportunity for all candidates from third parties granted the same opportunities to address the American people. Even in 2024, there are many presidential candidates, but you most likely have never heard their names mentioned on national television. Outside of the two-party system, who else is running for President?
The 2024 United States presidential election has seen a surge in third-party and independent candidates. Here are some of the notable ones:
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: An anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer from California, Kennedy withdrew his candidacy in the Democratic Party primaries in October 2023 to run as an independent. He has ballot access to fewer than 270 electoral votes.
- Cornel West: An academic and activist from California, West is running as an independent candidate. He currently has ballot access to fewer than 270 electoral votes.
- Claudia de la Cruz: An activist from New York, de la Cruz is the presidential nominee for the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
- Peter Sonski: A local politician from Connecticut, Sonski is the presidential nominee for the American Solidarity Party.
- Michael Wood: A businessman, Wood is the presidential nominee for the Prohibition Party.
- Jill Stein (Green Party): Jill Stein, a physician from Massachusetts, announced her entry into the 2024 United States presidential election on November 9, 2023. Stein had been the Green Party’s presidential nominee in 2012 and in 2016. In her campaign, she aims to offer a choice for the people outside the failed two-party system. She plans to put a pro-worker, anti-war, climate action agenda front and center in this election.
- Libertarian Party: The Libertarian Party has several candidates who have filed for the 2024 presidential election. Some of the notable candidates include Aaron Avouris, Antonio Gagnon, Beau Lindsey, Charles Ballay, Charles Griffith Ferry, Chase Oliver, David Andrew Saber, David A. Puchta, David Dunlap, David Reed DeSilva, Frederick James Clegg, Hugo Valdez Garcia, Jacob Hornberger, Jason Karroll, John Thomas Reinhold, Jon Stewart, Joshua Anderson, Joshua D. Smith, Joshua Rodriguez, Kevin Babicz, Kevin Tucker, Lars Mapstead, Mario A. Perales, Melissa Biondi, Michael D. Rectenwald, Mike ter Maat, Nathan J. Vaught Jr., Raymond Dude Wagner, Robert E. Sansone, Russell DeLeon, Sarah Jo Benge, Seymour Art Lee, Toad Anderson, Trime Clover Taveler.
These candidates represent a diverse range of political ideologies and platforms. As the election approaches, they could potentially influence the outcome or shift the policy debates of the major party candidates.
Please note that ballot access varies by state and can change as the election approaches.