Question

why do voters often support third-party candidates?

correct answer(s)

to show disapproval of the major parties
to support the candidates positions
to get their preferred candidate elected

Explanation:

Analyze voter motivations for supporting third parties

Voters who support third-party candidates in the United States typically do so for two primary reasons: to express their policy agreement with the candidate's platform, or to register a protest vote showing their dissatisfaction with the two major parties.

Evaluate the options

• "to show disapproval of the major parties": Correct. This represents protest voting.
• "to support the candidates' positions": Correct. This represents policy-based voting.
• "to get their preferred candidate elected": Incorrect. Due to the winner-take-all system, most voters are aware that third-party candidates have virtually no chance of winning major offices, so this is rarely the primary realistic expectation.

Answer:

• to show disapproval of the major parties (Correct answer)
• to support the candidates' positions (Correct answer)
• to get their preferred candidate elected