The significance of third-party candidates in the U.S. electoral system lies in their ability to influence the major political parties and shape national conversations. While they seldom win elections, they often raise issues that major parties may overlook, potentially swaying voter sentiment. Additionally, they can draw votes away from the leading parties, impacting overall election outcomes. This phenomenon encourages broader political discourse and may lead to reforms in electoral processes, such as consideration for ranked-choice voting or other systems aimed at increasing representation.