The Libertarian party has been on the ballot each presidential election since 1972 and the Green party since 1996. A third party could change the state’s winner in one of these states by gaining enough votes that would have otherwise gone to a major party. Would they be willing to give power to an independent candidate or a new party? Each election year, people have increasingly said they would consider an independent or third party candidate. If the election is equally close this time, a third party potentially could determine the outcome by claiming only a small share of the vote.

Source: Wall Street Journal July 01, 2016 10:30 UTC