The share of Americans who see a need for a third party inched up this year, but most are nevertheless worried about the unintended negative consequences of voting for a candidate who isn’t a Republican or Democrat.
Sixty-two percent of US adults believe the Republican and Democratic parties are doing such a bad job that it warrants a third party, according to Gallup, on par with the record 63% who said so two years ago.
But only 15% say they are very likely to vote for third-party candidates, and majorities report being at least very concerned that by voting third-party, they would either “waste” their vote or help their least-favorite candidate win.