Final answer:
A third-party candidate failing to win an election may still accomplish electoral reform by drawing attention to specific issues and influencing discussions on changing the voting system to allow for a broader representation of voter choice thereby increasing the dynamic of political competition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Even if a third-party candidate fails to win an election, they may still accomplish electoral reform. Third parties play a legitimate role by bringing specific issues to voters' attention, offering more alternatives than the two major parties, and potentially influencing election outcomes by splitting the vote. While a third-party candidate might not secure a win, their presence can initiate discussions on important topics and the need for changes in the electoral process. Movements for electoral reform may not always gain widespread support, but the mere existence and participation of third-party candidates in elections can amplify the call for reform.
Importantly, third-party participation highlights the limitations of plurality voting and can lead to considerations for adopting different voting systems, such as a majoritarian voting scheme. These systems could increase the number of viable parties, offering voters a broader choice and possibly leading to run-off elections if no candidate achieves a majority, thus encouraging electoral reform.