Primary definition
A political party that does not meet the requirements to be recognized as a major party, but otherwise is recognized typically because its candidates have received a certain percentage of the vote or through a petition process.
Also known asthird party · small party · fringe party · alternative party
1 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 10, 2026
— EAC Glossary of TermsView source
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EAC
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
A political party that does not meet the requirements to be recognized as a major party, but otherwise is recognized typically because its candidates have received a certain percentage of the vote or through a petition process.
EAC Glossary of Terms · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Minor Party. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/minor-party
Sources
1 cited · last checked Aug 10, 2026
01
EAC Glossary of Terms
EAC Glossary of Terms
Single-source
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