Final answer:
Minor-party candidates face difficulties in winning office due to the perception of not being viable, lack of resources, narrow political issues, and election laws that present significant hurdles for ballot access.
Step-by-step explanation:
Minor-party candidates like Gary Johnson and Jill Stein have a difficult time winning office because of several significant challenges they face within the political landscape. One of the main reasons is that many voters view these parties as not viable, often resulting in a reluctance to 'waste' their vote on a candidate they believe has little chance of winning. This perception is reinforced by a variety of factors, including the two-party system which perpetuates itself, leading to a situation where votes for third-party candidates can inadvertently result in the election of a voter's least preferred major-party candidate.
Third parties typically struggle to gain traction due to a lack of resources compared to their major counterparts. They are often seen as resource-poor, struggling with financing, media coverage, and organizational support, which makes campaigning vastly more challenging. Additionally, the political issues they champion may be too narrow, not resonating with the majority of voters, or they may be co-opted by the larger parties, diminishing the unique appeal of third parties.
Moreover, election laws are frequently structured in a way that creates hurdles for third-party and independent candidates to even get on the ballot. This includes requiring a substantial number of petition signatures that small parties may find difficult to gather. Without the ability to present their candidates officially, these third parties are at a severe disadvantage right from the start of their campaigns.