Final answer:
Ross Perot's third-party candidacy in the 1992 presidential election represented the most successful third-party effort since Theodore Roosevelt, garnering almost 19% of the popular vote but no Electoral College votes. Third-party candidates face significant hurdles in the U.S. electoral system, and their influence can lead to a split vote, affecting election outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of Third-Party Candidates in Presidential Elections
Ross Perot, a successful businessman, ran for president in 1992 and again in 1996 as a third-party candidate under the Reform Party. He is noteworthy for receiving a significant portion of the popular vote, nearly 19 percent in the 1992 election, capturing widespread support across the political spectrum. Despite this, he didn't secure any Electoral College votes. Notably, the last third-party candidate who did win Electoral College votes was George Wallace in 1968, illustrating the challenges that third parties face in the U.S. electoral system. Third parties often suffer due to a perceived lack of viability and the adoption of their issues by larger parties. In some instances, third parties have caused a split in the vote, which can impact election outcomes, such as with the candidacy of Ralph Nader in 2000.
Third parties play a complex role in American politics, frequently highlighting issues that may be overlooked by the major parties but still struggling to make a lasting impact due to the winner-take-all nature of U.S. elections and the voter hesitancy to support parties with less chance of winning.