minor party

noun

: a political party whose electoral strength is so small as to prevent its gaining control of a government except in rare and exceptional circumstances

Examples of minor party in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Benson in her decision cited Michigan law, which says that minor party candidates who accept a nomination cannot withdraw from an election. —Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2024

Friday's opinion overturned an earlier ruling in the Michigan Court of Claims, where Judge Christopher Yates ruled Tuesday that minor party presidential candidates cannot withdraw from the ballot. —Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2024

The judge pointed out that Michigan election law is clear that minor party presidential candidates cannot withdraw from the ballot, which Kennedy qualified for after he was nominated by the Natural Law Party. —Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Sep. 2024

But Kennedy's campaign has been in contact with minor parties in at least six other states, too, ABC News has learned through conversations with leaders in more than a dozen minor parties across the country. —Will McDuffie, ABC News, 5 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

minor party

noun

: a political party whose electoral strength is so small as to prevent its gaining control of a government except in rare and exceptional circumstances