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Elections 2016

Third-party history: Most successful candidacies

In this July 17, 1948, file photo, South Carolina Gov. Strom Thurmond reacts to applause from the States' Rights Democratic Party convention delegates in Birmingham, Ala., after being nominated by the Dixiecrats for the presidency of the United States. At left is Walter Sillers, convention chairman. Thurmond went on to win 2.41% of the popular vote.
In this July 17, 1948, file photo, South Carolina Gov. Strom Thurmond reacts to applause from the States' Rights Democratic Party convention delegates in Birmingham, Ala., after being nominated by the Dixiecrats for the presidency of the United States. At left is Walter Sillers, convention chairman. Thurmond went on to win 2.41% of the popular vote.
AP
Former Alabama governor George Wallace arrives in Boston on June 28, 1968. He went on to win 13.56% of the popular vote as the American Independent Party nominee.
Former Alabama governor George Wallace arrives in Boston on June 28, 1968. He went on to win 13.56% of the popular vote as the American Independent Party nominee.
AP
Rep. John Anderson is showered with confetti as he enters Boston's Quincy Market on Oct. 31, 1980. He won 6.61% of the popular vote in his independent candidacy that year.
Rep. John Anderson is showered with confetti as he enters Boston's Quincy Market on Oct. 31, 1980. He won 6.61% of the popular vote in his independent candidacy that year.
Paul Benoit, AP
Independent presidential candidate Ross Perot holds a copy of the 1948 Chicago Daily Tribune newspaper proclaiming Thomas Dewey the winner over Harry Truman while addressing a rally on Nov. 1, 1992, in Long Beach, Calif. Perot won 18.91% of the popular vote that year.
Independent presidential candidate Ross Perot holds a copy of the 1948 Chicago Daily Tribune newspaper proclaiming Thomas Dewey the winner over Harry Truman while addressing a rally on Nov. 1, 1992, in Long Beach, Calif. Perot won 18.91% of the popular vote that year.
Bob Galbraith, AP
Ross Perot shakes hands of supporters at the first California statewide meeting of the Reform Party at the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 1, 1996. He went on to win 8.4% of the popular vote that year.
Ross Perot shakes hands of supporters at the first California statewide meeting of the Reform Party at the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 1, 1996. He went on to win 8.4% of the popular vote that year.
Reed Saxon, AP
Ralph Nader holds out his arms after winning the Green Party nomination at the party's convention on June 25, 2000, in Denver. He went on to win 2.74% of the popular vote.
Ralph Nader holds out his arms after winning the Green Party nomination at the party's convention on June 25, 2000, in Denver. He went on to win 2.74% of the popular vote.
David Zalubowski, AP
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