Though third-party candidates have had an influence in most presidential elections in recent memory, the challengers of the two main nominees in this year’s contest had little effect.
The top three third-party challenges, Ralph Nader, running as an independent, Libertarian Michael Badnarik and Michael Peroutka of the Constitution Party weren’t able to garner 1 percent of the popular vote combined.
The latest popular-vote numbers indicate Nader received 394,794 votes, Badnarik 377,940, and Peroutka 129,842. The Green Party’s David Cobb won just 105,525.
According to the Associated Press, no third-party candidate managed to break the 1 percent level in any individual state, even in those they specifically targeted. Badnarik was on the ballot in the most number of states – 48 – of all the 3rd-party candidates. Peroutka was a choice for voters in 36 states, while Cobb got on the ballots in 28 states.
Peroutka issued a statement yesterday, which said, in part:
“Last night, we celebrated God’s glorious and gracious sovereignty over all things. As Christ tells us in Matthew 28:18, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.’ Of course, this includes authority over civil government and over political elections. His will be done.
“Our victory is in declaring God’s sovereign nature and submitting ourselves to His will. We do this when we run for office acknowledging God, defending the family, and working to restore the American republic. We do this when we vote only for those men who have submitted their lives to faithfulness and obedience to His Word.”
“With this victory in mind – His victory – I encourage all Americans of good will to join us in the coming days, months and years to build our effort to honor God, defend the family and restore the republic.”
