So you're flipping through news channels and it's all Trump vs. Biden - again. Makes you wonder, who else is running for president? I had that exact thought last Tuesday morning while chugging lukewarm coffee. Turns out there are over 20 names on ballots nationwide, and most barely get a blip on the radar.
See, I volunteered at a polling station last cycle and watched voters scratch their heads at unfamiliar names. One guy spent ten minutes Googling "who else is running besides trump and biden" right there in the booth. That's when it hit me: we're not getting the full picture.
The media circus focuses on the headliners while other contenders are left shouting into the void. But these candidates shape debates, pull votes in swing states, and yes, occasionally become spoilers. Remember Perot in '92? Or how Jill Stein arguably tipped Michigan to Trump in 2016? Love 'em or hate 'em, they matter.
Why Knowing All Candidates Matters
You might think "Why bother? They can't win anyway." I used to believe that too until 2020, when I wasted my protest vote on a candidate who dropped out after early voting started. Total facepalm moment.
Here's why you should care:
- Ballot surprises: In 10 states, Libertarians have automatic ballot access. Greens in 21. That's millions who'll see these names.
- Swing state math: In Arizona 2020, Biden won by 10,457 votes. Third parties drew 50,000+. That gap matters.
- Future movements: Bernie started as a fringe candidate. So did Trump, frankly.
Heck, just last month my cousin nearly missed the registration deadline because she assumed only two choices existed. When she asked me "who else is running for president besides the usual suspects," I rattled off seven names. Her jaw actually dropped.
The Heavy Hitters (You Know These)
Let's acknowledge the elephants - and donkeys - in the room first:
Major Party Nominees
| Candidate | Party | Key Policies | Ballot Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Biden | Democrat | Expand ACA, student debt relief, climate investments | All 50 states + DC |
| Donald Trump | Republican | Border wall, oil drilling, tariff increases | All 50 states + DC |
Notice something missing? Neither faces serious primary challenges. Biden's biggest threat was Dean Phillips, who dropped out after Super Tuesday. GOP candidate Nikki Haley suspended her campaign but hasn't endorsed Trump. Her name will still appear on some ballots though.
The Underdog Army: Who Else Is Running for President in 2024
This is where things get interesting. You'll see these names pop up depending on your state. Some have ballot access everywhere, others in just a handful of states. I've been tracking FEC filings - yes, I'm that political nerd - and here's the breakdown:
Libertarian Party
They've got the strongest third-party machinery. I attended their Orlando convention - chaotic but fascinating. Their nominee:
Chase Oliver (Libertarian)
- Background: 38yo former Georgia Senate candidate ("That gay guy who forced a runoff" as he joked to me)
- Key Policies: Slash military spending 50%, legalize all drugs, open borders
- Funding ≈ $340,000 (per Q1 FEC reports)
- Ballot Access: Confirmed in 38 states + DC (aiming for all 50)
Honestly? Oliver's campaign manager told me their internal polling shows 9% support in Nevada. I'm skeptical, but if true, that could hurt Trump there.
Green Party
Still finalizing their nominee at convention (July 13). Frontrunners:
| Candidate | Home State | Signature Policy | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jill Stein | Massachusetts | Cancel student debt via quantitative easing | 3-1 favorite |
| Cornel West | Colorado | $1T/year climate reparations fund | 5-1 |
West actually ran independent before switching parties. He told NPR last month: "The Greens offer ballot access I couldn't secure alone." Smart move considering ballot access laws - some states require 40,000+ signatures just to run.
Other Notable Contenders
These folks have secured ballot lines in multiple states:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Independent)
- Ballot Access: Qualified in Michigan, Utah, 6 others (aiming for 50-state strategy)
- Funding ≈ $15 million (mostly from anti-vax donors)
- Quirks: Anti-vaccine activist, wants to pardon Snowden
Cornel West (Justice for All Party)
- Ballot Access: Currently qualified in 4 states (OR, SC, UT, AK)
- Funding ≈ $830,000 (mostly small donors)
- Controversy: Accused of taking fossil fuel money (he denies)
Joe Exotic (Independent)
- Ballot Access: Only Oklahoma so far
- Campaign Slogan: "Still not in prison!"
- Reality Check: Currently incarcerated. Campaign run by his husband.
Yeah, that Joe Exotic. His FEC filing lists "Tiger King" as occupation. Not joking.
Ballot Access Battlefield
Here's the brutal truth about running for president: getting on ballots is a nightmare. Each state has different rules - some reasonable, others insane:
| State | Signature Requirement | Deadlines | 2024 Candidates Qualified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 113,151 | May 13 | Biden, Trump, Kennedy, Oliver (Libertarian) |
| New York | 45,000 | Aug 20 | Biden, Trump only (so far) |
| California | 219,403 | Aug 9 | Biden, Trump, Green nominee (pending) |
Kennedy's campaign claims they've spent $7 million just collecting signatures. Oliver told me: "We're suing in three states where they're rejecting our petitions on technicalities." Nasty business.
Who Can Actually Impact the Election?
Let's cut through the noise. Based on polling, funding, and ballot access, here's who might matter:
| Candidate | Poll Avg. | Spoiler Potential | My Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFK Jr. | 8-12% | Hurts Biden in AZ/PA | Cash-flush but gaffe-prone |
| Chase Oliver | 3-5% | Hurts Trump in NC/GA | Young voters like his weed stance |
| Green Nominee | 1-3% | Could flip WI/MI | Stein pulled 31K votes in WI 2016 - Trump won by 23K |
Last week's Quinnipiac poll showed RFK drawing 15% from independents. That's massive. But third parties always poll higher pre-election. Remember Gary Johnson's "Aleppo moment"? Killed his momentum overnight.
Voter Questions About Who Else Is Running
"Why haven't I heard about these candidates?"
Simple: debate thresholds. The Commission on Presidential Debates requires 15% in five national polls. No third-party candidate has hit that since Perot. Media follows suit. Plus, Biden/Trump soak up 92% of coverage (per Harvard media study).
"Can any third party actually win?"
Mathematically? Possible. Practically? No. Winner-take-all electoral college plus ballot access barriers make it impossible. But they can influence policy - Democrats adopted $15 min wage after Stein pushed it hard in 2016.
"Where do I see who's on MY ballot?"
BallotReady.org (nonpartisan) lets you enter your address. Or check your Secretary of State's website. Do this early - I found errors on my sample ballot last cycle.
"Is voting third party just throwing away my vote?"
That's personal. But consider: parties get federal funding if they clear 5% nationally. Libertarians nearly hit that in 2016 (3.3%). That would've meant $20 million+ for them next cycle.
How These Candidates Change the Game
Even if they lose, third-party runs create ripple effects:
- Policy shifts: Trump's protectionism copied Perot. Biden's climate plans adopted Green New Deal language.
- Voter mobilization: Oliver's push for ranked-choice voting got Maine to adopt it.
- Future runs: Obama's campaign manager cut his teeth on Nader's 2000 run.
My poli-sci professor used to say: "Third parties are bees - they pollinate ideas then die." Morbid, but accurate.
Tracking Tools You Need
Don't rely on cable news. Bookmark these:
Ballot Access Tracker (OpenSecrets.org)
Live polling averages (FiveThirtyEight.com)
Candidate financial disclosures (FEC.gov)
These are the resources campaigns themselves monitor obsessively.
My Personal Takeaway
After covering elections for a decade, I'm torn. Part of me admires these scrappy underdogs fighting impossible odds. Another part thinks RFK is exploiting conspiracy theories for cash.
But here's what changed my mind: meeting a Libertarian volunteer in Ohio last month. She'd driven 200 miles to collect signatures. "If we get 5%," she said, wiping rain from her petition clipboard, "my kids might have real choices someday."
So even if you vote major party, glance down the ballot. Democracy isn't just the headliners - it's all those names struggling to be heard. And if you're still wondering who else is running for president in November, well, now you've got answers.
Just promise me one thing? Skip Joe Exotic.
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