Today’s Third Party Races to Watch

It’s Election Day and we will be providing coverage of independents and third party candidates from around the country today. Some are fighting it out in tough races and hoping for a victory, others are trying to make a statement or secure a more practical benefit like future ballot access. Millions of dollars and the blood and sweat of thousands of volunteers has all come down to today.

Ballot Access News has a fantastic and comprehensive list of the states where minor party candidates can gain or retain future ballot access.

Here is a quick rundown of some of the key races we’ll be keeping an eye on…

THE INDEPENDENTS: Greg Orman stands a good chance of being elected to the U.S. Senate from Kansas, and Larry Pressler has been surging in the U.S. Senate race in South Dakota. In Alaska, Bill Walker holds a narrow lead over incumbent Governor Sean Parnell. In Rhode Island an independent is running a competitive race for State Auditor. Also look for solid showings from gubernatorial candidates in Maine and Hawaii. As usual, we expect a handful of state legislative victories.

THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY: The Libertarian Party has more than 700 candidates on the ballot today all across the country. Chad Monnin and Jeremy Walters are running strong campaigns for state house seats in Ohio and South Carolina, respectively. Also, candidates like Adrian Wyllie, Rob Sarvis, Jim McDermott and others have polled well in statewide races… will those numbers hold up?

THE GREEN PARTY: Howie Hawkins has been polling extremely well in the race for governor of New York. In Ohio, Anita Rios is the only minor party candidate on the ballot in a lopsided governor’s race. The party retains their qualified status if they can score 2% in that race. Also worth watching: Andy Dawkins, a former state legislator in Minnesota, is making a very strong run for Attorney General. His goal is to win 5% of the vote and secure the Green Party’s future in that state.

THE CONSTITUTION PARTY: As usual, the Constitution Party has the smallest slate of candidates among the “big 3” nationally organized alternative parties. Of most interest will be how well a pair of state legislative candidates perform. In Idaho, Christian Fioravanti is running a strong campaign for state senate. Up in Alaska, Pam Goode is perhaps the party’s best chance for a victory in a state house race.

THE VERMONT PROGRESSIVE PARTY: Former state representative Dean Corren has a very real shot at winning the race for Lt. Governor. The Democrats failed to nominate a candidate and most have endorsed Corren on the Progressive line. Additionally, the party currently has 3 seats in the state senate and 5 seats in the state house. They are looking to hold or expand that legislative presence.

THE REST: Because of the state’s “top two” primary, the California Peace & Freedom Party has only one candidate on the ballot for this general election, Adam Shbeita for U.S. House. The nationalist American Freedom Party has an active candidate for West Virginia state house. The Rhode Island Moderate Party has mounted a last minute campaign for governor with Robert Healey, a frequent candidate who has scored double-digit showings in past statewide contests.

Stick with Uncovered Politics throughout the day and all night and we track results from the races that you actually care about!

For more on poll closing times, click here to see the full schedule.