Final answer:
Third parties in U.S. elections can influence outcomes by taking away votes from major parties and shaping political discourse. However, they face challenges in gaining traction due to the dominance of the two major parties.
Step-by-step explanation:
Third parties in U.S. elections can have varying impacts. While they rarely win elections, they can influence the outcome by taking away votes from the major political parties. For example, in the 1992 presidential election, Ross Perot's third-party campaign received almost 19% of the popular vote, which some argue contributed to George H.W. Bush's loss to Bill Clinton.
Third parties also play a role in shaping political discourse and bringing attention to specific issues. They can bring new ideas to the table and advocate for overlooked topics. Additionally, third-party candidates can act as a check on the major parties, forcing them to address certain concerns in order to win over voters.
However, third parties often face significant challenges in gaining traction. The two major parties dominate the American political system, and third parties struggle to compete financially and gain media coverage. They also face ballot access restrictions in many states, making it difficult for them to even appear on the ballot.
Learn more about Impact of third parties in U.S. elections