Final answer:
Ralph Nader hoped to receive 5% of the popular vote in the 2000 presidential election in order to qualify for federal matching funds.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 2000 presidential election, Ralph Nader hoped to receive 5% of the popular vote because 5% is the threshold for qualifying for federal matching funds. This means that if a candidate receives 5% or more of the popular vote, they become eligible to receive additional funding from the federal government to support their campaign. It is a way to help smaller parties and independent candidates compete with the major party candidates.