Final Answer:
Ralph Nader was disadvantaged by the Electoral College (EC) as it contributed to the "spoiler effect" in the 2000 U.S. presidential election, drawing votes away from the Democratic candidate Al Gore and potentially influencing the final outcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 2000 presidential election, Ralph Nader ran as a third-party candidate for the Green Party. The Electoral College system in the United States played a crucial role in disadvantaging Nader. While he gained a notable percentage of the popular vote, particularly in key swing states, his impact was most evident in Florida.
The "spoiler effect" occurred as Nader drew votes that might have otherwise gone to Al Gore, the Democratic candidate. This fragmentation of the progressive vote contributed to the closely contested nature of the election in Florida, ultimately leading to the controversial Supreme Court decision in Bush v. Gore, which decided the outcome of the election in favor of George W. Bush.