List of third-party and independent performances in United States elections
Updated: 5/20/2026, 7:40:03 PM Wikipedia source
This article contains statistics on third-party and independent performances in US elections and a list of pages containing lists of those elections.
Tables
· Notable performances › Presidential elections
1912
1912
Year
1912
Party
Progressive
Nominee
Theodore Roosevelt
Running mate
Hiram Johnson
# Votes
4,120,609
% Votes
27 / 100
% Votes
On Ballot
27 / 100
Electoral Votes
88 / 531
Place
2nd
1856
1856
Year
1856
Party
American
Nominee
Millard Fillmore
Running mate
Andrew J. Donelson
# Votes
872,703
% Votes
21 / 100
% Votes
On Ballot
21 / 100
Electoral Votes
8 / 296
Place
3rd
1992
1992
Year
1992
Party
Independent
Nominee
Ross Perot
Running mate
James Stockdale
# Votes
19,743,821
% Votes
18 / 100
% Votes
On Ballot
18 / 100
Electoral Votes
0 / 538
1860
1860
Year
1860
Party
Southern Democratic
Nominee
John C. Breckinridge
Running mate
Joseph Lane
# Votes
851,844
% Votes
18 / 100
% Votes
On Ballot
22 / 100
Electoral Votes
72 / 303
Place
2nd
1924
1924
Year
1924
Party
Progressive
Nominee
Robert M. La Follette
Running mate
Burton K. Wheeler
# Votes
4,833,821
% Votes
16 / 100
% Votes
On Ballot
16 / 100
Electoral Votes
13 / 531
Place
3rd
1968
1968
Year
1968
Party
American Independent
Nominee
George Wallace
Running mate
Curtis LeMay
# Votes
9,901,118
% Votes
13 / 100
% Votes
On Ballot
13 / 100
Electoral Votes
46 / 538
1860
1860
Year
1860
Party
Constitutional Union
Nominee
John Bell
Running mate
Edward Everett
# Votes
590,946
% Votes
12 / 100
% Votes
On Ballot
15 / 100
Electoral Votes
39 / 303
1848
1848
Year
1848
Party
Free Soil
Nominee
Martin Van Buren
Running mate
Charles F. Adams
# Votes
291,475
% Votes
10 / 100
% Votes
On Ballot
13 / 100
Electoral Votes
0 / 290
| Year | Party | Nominee | Running mate | # Votes | % Votes | % Votes On Ballot | Electoral Votes | Place | Notes |
| 1912 | Progressive | Theodore Roosevelt | Hiram Johnson | 4,120,609 | 27 / 100 | 27 / 100 | 88 / 531 | 2nd | |
| 1856 | American | Millard Fillmore | Andrew J. Donelson | 872,703 | 21 / 100 | 21 / 100 | 8 / 296 | 3rd | |
| 1992 | Independent | Ross Perot | James Stockdale | 19,743,821 | 18 / 100 | 18 / 100 | 0 / 538 | ||
| 1860 | Southern Democratic | John C. Breckinridge | Joseph Lane | 851,844 | 18 / 100 | 22 / 100 | 72 / 303 | 2nd | |
| 1924 | Progressive | Robert M. La Follette | Burton K. Wheeler | 4,833,821 | 16 / 100 | 16 / 100 | 13 / 531 | 3rd | |
| 1968 | American Independent | George Wallace | Curtis LeMay | 9,901,118 | 13 / 100 | 13 / 100 | 46 / 538 | ||
| 1860 | Constitutional Union | John Bell | Edward Everett | 590,946 | 12 / 100 | 15 / 100 | 39 / 303 | ||
| 1848 | Free Soil | Martin Van Buren | Charles F. Adams | 291,475 | 10 / 100 | 13 / 100 | 0 / 290 |
Notable third-party senatorial performances (1991–2020) · Notable performances › Senate elections
2024
2024
Year
2024
State
Maine
Party
Independent
Nominee
Angus King
# Votes
427,279
% Votes
52 / 100
Place
Re-elected
Vermont
Vermont
Year
Vermont
State
Independent
Party
Bernie Sanders
Nominee
229,429
# Votes
63 / 100
% Votes
Re-elected
2018
2018
Year
2018
State
Maine
Party
Independent
Nominee
Angus King
# Votes
344,575
% Votes
54 / 100
Place
Re-elected
Vermont
Vermont
Year
Vermont
State
Independent
Party
Bernie Sanders
Nominee
183,649
# Votes
67 / 100
% Votes
Re-elected
2012
2012
Year
2012
State
Maine
Party
Independent
Nominee
Angus King
# Votes
370,580
% Votes
52 / 100
Place
Elected
Vermont
Vermont
Year
Vermont
State
Independent
Party
Bernie Sanders
Nominee
209,053
# Votes
71 / 100
% Votes
Re-elected
2010
2010
Year
2010
State
Alaska
Party
Republican (write-in)
Nominee
Lisa Murkowski
# Votes
101,091
% Votes
39 / 100
Place
Re-elected
Notes
Lost Republican primary
2006
2006
Year
2006
State
Connecticut
Party
Connecticut for Lieberman
Nominee
Joe Lieberman
# Votes
564,095
% Votes
49 / 100
Place
Re-elected
Notes
Lost Democratic primary
Vermont
Vermont
Year
Vermont
State
Independent
Party
Bernie Sanders
Nominee
171,638
# Votes
65 / 100
% Votes
Elected
1976
1976
Year
1976
State
Virginia
Party
Independent
Nominee
Harry F. Byrd Jr.
# Votes
890,778
% Votes
57 / 100
Place
Re-elected
1970
1970
Year
1970
State
Virginia
Party
Independent
Nominee
Harry F. Byrd Jr.
# Votes
506,237
% Votes
53 / 100
Place
Re-elected
New York
New York
Year
New York
State
Conservative
Party
James L. Buckley
Nominee
2,288,190
# Votes
38 / 100
% Votes
Elected
| Year | State | Party | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place | Notes |
| 2024 | Maine | Independent | Angus King | 427,279 | 52 / 100 | Re-elected | |
| Vermont | Independent | Bernie Sanders | 229,429 | 63 / 100 | Re-elected | ||
| 2018 | Maine | Independent | Angus King | 344,575 | 54 / 100 | Re-elected | |
| Vermont | Independent | Bernie Sanders | 183,649 | 67 / 100 | Re-elected | ||
| 2012 | Maine | Independent | Angus King | 370,580 | 52 / 100 | Elected | |
| Vermont | Independent | Bernie Sanders | 209,053 | 71 / 100 | Re-elected | ||
| 2010 | Alaska | Republican (write-in) | Lisa Murkowski | 101,091 | 39 / 100 | Re-elected | Lost Republican primary |
| 2006 | Connecticut | Connecticut for Lieberman | Joe Lieberman | 564,095 | 49 / 100 | Re-elected | Lost Democratic primary |
| Vermont | Independent | Bernie Sanders | 171,638 | 65 / 100 | Elected | ||
| 1976 | Virginia | Independent | Harry F. Byrd Jr. | 890,778 | 57 / 100 | Re-elected | |
| 1970 | Virginia | Independent | Harry F. Byrd Jr. | 506,237 | 53 / 100 | Re-elected | |
| New York | Conservative | James L. Buckley | 2,288,190 | 38 / 100 | Elected |
Notable third party House performances (2022) – 19 entries · Notable performances › House elections
2024
2024
Year
2024
District
Massachusetts 1
Party
Independent
Candidate
Nadia Milleron
# Votes
88,842
% Votes
36 / 100
Place
2nd
Nevada 2
Nevada 2
Year
Nevada 2
District
Independent
Party
Greg Kidd
Candidate
139,095
# Votes
36 / 100
% Votes
2nd
Massachusetts 2
Massachusetts 2
Year
Massachusetts 2
District
Independent
Party
Cornelius Shea
Candidate
87,837
# Votes
31 / 100
% Votes
2nd
North Carolina 6
North Carolina 6
Year
North Carolina 6
District
Constitution
Party
Kevin Hayes
Candidate
103,247
# Votes
30 / 100
% Votes
2nd
2022
2022
Year
2022
District
North Dakota At-large
Party
Independent
Candidate
Cara Mund
# Votes
89,644
% Votes
37 / 100
Place
2nd
Texas 26
Texas 26
Year
Texas 26
District
Libertarian
Party
Mike Kolls
Candidate
81,208
# Votes
30 / 100
% Votes
2nd
2020
2020
Year
2020
District
Alaska At-large
Party
Independent/Undeclared
Candidate
Alyse Galvin
# Votes
159,856
% Votes
45 / 100
Place
2nd
2018
2018
Year
2018
District
Alaska At-large
Party
Independent/Undeclared
Candidate
Alyse Galvin
# Votes
109,615
% Votes
45 / 100
Place
2nd
2016
2016
Year
2016
District
Northern Mariana Islands At-large
Party
Independent
Candidate
Gregorio Sablan
# Votes
10,605
% Votes
100 / 100
Place
Elected
Arizona 8
Arizona 8
Year
Arizona 8
District
Green
Party
Mark Salazar
Candidate
93,954
# Votes
31 / 100
% Votes
2nd
2014
2014
Year
2014
District
Northern Mariana Islands At-large
Party
Independent
Candidate
Gregorio Sablan
# Votes
8,549
% Votes
65 / 100
Place
Elected
2012
2012
Year
2012
District
Puerto Rico At-large
Party
New Progressive
Candidate
Pedro Pierluisi
# Votes
905,066
% Votes
48 / 100
Place
Elected
Popular Democratic
Popular Democratic
Year
Popular Democratic
District
Rafael Cox Alomar
Party
881,181
Candidate
47 / 100
# Votes
2nd
California 33
California 33
Year
California 33
District
Independent
Party
Bill Bloomfield
Candidate
146,660
# Votes
46 / 100
% Votes
2nd
Kansas 3
Kansas 3
Year
Kansas 3
District
Joel Balam
Party
92,675
Candidate
31 / 100
# Votes
2nd
2008
2008
Year
2008
District
American Samoa At-large
Party
Independent
Candidate
Eni Faleomavaega
# Votes
7,498
% Votes
60 / 100
Place
Elected
Puerto Rico At-large
Puerto Rico At-large
Year
Puerto Rico At-large
District
New Progressive
Party
Pedro Pierluisi
Candidate
1,010,285
# Votes
53 / 100
% Votes
Elected
New York 23
New York 23
Year
New York 23
District
Conservative
Party
Doug Hoffman
Candidate
69,553
# Votes
45 / 100
% Votes
2nd
Puerto Rico At-large
Puerto Rico At-large
Year
Puerto Rico At-large
District
Popular Democratic
Party
Alfredo Salazar Jr.
Candidate
810,093
# Votes
42 / 100
% Votes
2nd
American Samoa At-large
American Samoa At-large
Year
American Samoa At-large
District
Independent
Party
Amata Coleman Radewagen
Candidate
4,349
# Votes
35 / 100
% Votes
2nd
| Year | District | Party | Candidate | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| 2024 | Massachusetts 1 | Independent | Nadia Milleron | 88,842 | 36 / 100 | 2nd |
| Nevada 2 | Independent | Greg Kidd | 139,095 | 36 / 100 | 2nd | |
| Massachusetts 2 | Independent | Cornelius Shea | 87,837 | 31 / 100 | 2nd | |
| North Carolina 6 | Constitution | Kevin Hayes | 103,247 | 30 / 100 | 2nd | |
| 2022 | North Dakota At-large | Independent | Cara Mund | 89,644 | 37 / 100 | 2nd |
| Texas 26 | Libertarian | Mike Kolls | 81,208 | 30 / 100 | 2nd | |
| 2020 | Alaska At-large | Independent/Undeclared | Alyse Galvin | 159,856 | 45 / 100 | 2nd |
| 2018 | Alaska At-large | Independent/Undeclared | Alyse Galvin | 109,615 | 45 / 100 | 2nd |
| 2016 | Northern Mariana Islands At-large | Independent | Gregorio Sablan | 10,605 | 100 / 100 | Elected |
| Arizona 8 | Green | Mark Salazar | 93,954 | 31 / 100 | 2nd | |
| 2014 | Northern Mariana Islands At-large | Independent | Gregorio Sablan | 8,549 | 65 / 100 | Elected |
| 2012 | Puerto Rico At-large | New Progressive | Pedro Pierluisi | 905,066 | 48 / 100 | Elected |
| Popular Democratic | Rafael Cox Alomar | 881,181 | 47 / 100 | 2nd | ||
| California 33 | Independent | Bill Bloomfield | 146,660 | 46 / 100 | 2nd | |
| Kansas 3 | Joel Balam | 92,675 | 31 / 100 | 2nd | ||
| 2008 | American Samoa At-large | Independent | Eni Faleomavaega | 7,498 | 60 / 100 | Elected |
| Puerto Rico At-large | New Progressive | Pedro Pierluisi | 1,010,285 | 53 / 100 | Elected | |
| New York 23 | Conservative | Doug Hoffman | 69,553 | 45 / 100 | 2nd | |
| Puerto Rico At-large | Popular Democratic | Alfredo Salazar Jr. | 810,093 | 42 / 100 | 2nd | |
| American Samoa At-large | Independent | Amata Coleman Radewagen | 4,349 | 35 / 100 | 2nd |
Notable third party gubernatorial performances · Notable performances › Gubernatorial elections
2014
2014
Year
2014
State
Alaska
Party
Independent
Nominee
Bill Walker
Running mate
Byron Mallott
# Votes
134,658
% Votes
48 / 100
Place
Elected
Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Year
Rhode Island
2010
2010
Year
2010
State
Independent
Party
Lincoln Chafee
Running mate
123,571
# Votes
36 / 100
% Votes
Elected
1998
1998
Year
1998
State
Maine
Party
Independent
Nominee
Angus King
# Votes
246,772
% Votes
58 / 100
Place
Re-elected
Minnesota
Minnesota
Year
Minnesota
State
Reform
Party
Jesse Ventura
Nominee
Mae Schunk
Running mate
773,713
# Votes
36 / 100
% Votes
Elected
1994
1994
Year
1994
State
Maine
Party
Independent
Nominee
Angus King
# Votes
180,829
% Votes
35 / 100
Place
Elected
1990
1990
Year
1990
State
Alaska
Party
Alaskan Independence
Nominee
Wally Hickel
Running mate
Jack Coghill
# Votes
75,721
% Votes
38 / 100
Place
Elected
Connecticut
Connecticut
Year
Connecticut
State
A Connecticut Party
Party
Lowell Weicker
Nominee
Eunice Groark
Running mate
460,576
# Votes
40 / 100
% Votes
Elected
| Year | State | Party | Nominee | Running mate | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| 2014 | Alaska | Independent | Bill Walker | Byron Mallott | 134,658 | 48 / 100 | Elected |
| Rhode Island | |||||||
| 2010 | Independent | Lincoln Chafee | 123,571 | 36 / 100 | Elected | ||
| 1998 | Maine | Independent | Angus King | 246,772 | 58 / 100 | Re-elected | |
| Minnesota | Reform | Jesse Ventura | Mae Schunk | 773,713 | 36 / 100 | Elected | |
| 1994 | Maine | Independent | Angus King | 180,829 | 35 / 100 | Elected | |
| 1990 | Alaska | Alaskan Independence | Wally Hickel | Jack Coghill | 75,721 | 38 / 100 | Elected |
| Connecticut | A Connecticut Party | Lowell Weicker | Eunice Groark | 460,576 | 40 / 100 | Elected |
· Notable performances › Other state constitutional offices › Lieutenant governors
2022
2022
Year
2022
State
Alabama
Party
Libertarian
Nominee
Ruth Page-Nelson
# Votes
178,660
% Votes
15 / 100
Place
2nd of 2
Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Year
Rhode Island
State
Independent
Party
Ross McCurdy
Nominee
19,507
# Votes
5 / 100
% Votes
3rd of 3
| Year | State | Party | Nominee | # Votes | % Votes | Place |
| 2022 | Alabama | Libertarian | Ruth Page-Nelson | 178,660 | 15 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| Rhode Island | Independent | Ross McCurdy | 19,507 | 5 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
References
- Also listed as the de facto Democratic nominee.
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Lieutenant_gubernatorial_elections,_2022
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Alabama_lieutenant_gubernatorial_election,_2022
- The only other candidate in the race was a Republican.
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Rhode_Island_lieutenant_gubernatorial_election,_2022
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Nebraska_Attorney_General_election,_2022
- The only other candidate in the race was a Republican.
- resultshttps://web.archive.org/web/20241008163724/https://results.okelections.gov/OKER/?elecDate=20221108
- The only other candidate in the race was a Republican.
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Iowa_Attorney_General_election,_2018
- The only other candidate in the race was a Democrat.
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Utah_Attorney_General_election,_2016
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Andrew_McCullough
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Washington_Attorney_General_election,_2016
- The only other candidate in the race was a Democrat.
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Arkansas_Attorney_General_election,_2014
- State of Colorado Elections Databasehttps://historicalelectiondata.coloradosos.gov/contest/4471
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Nevada_Attorney_General_election,_2014
- Ballotpediahttps://ballotpedia.org/Utah_Attorney_General_election,_2012
- VT Elections Databasehttps://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75441/