Final answer:
Third party candidates enhance the political process by bringing new issues to light, providing alternative choices to voters, and influencing the platforms of major parties even without winning elections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Even if a third party candidate fails to win an election, the candidate has contributed to the third party's success in various ways. These candidates often highlight issues that resonate with the public but are ignored by the major parties, thus bringing them to the forefront of national discussion. Not only that, such candidates help the third party in building its platform and presence in the political landscape. The participation of third parties provides voters with more options and may pressure the major parties to incorporate new ideas into their agendas.
By drawing attention to specific concerns, third parties can act as a 'safety valve' for dissatisfied voters, offering them an avenue to express their discontent with the mainstream options. Moreover, these parties keep the primary parties on their toes by representing groups or ideas that might otherwise be overlooked. While they might not win elections, they can influence the outcomes by shifting votes and public opinion, sometimes to the extent of affecting who wins in a tight race. An essential part of democratic societies is ensuring that a multiplicity of voices is heard, which third parties play a pivotal role in upholding.