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
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According to the most recent figures, Florida’s voter registrations are about 41% Republican and a little over 30% Democratic, with under 29% of voters registered to minor parties or with no party affiliation at all.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
The American Independence Party of George Wallace did a little better in 1968, carrying five states and 46 electoral votes before disbanding nationally, even though a California affiliate remains as a minor party.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
The commission also disqualified the candidate for opposition party ACT-Wazalendo, leaving only minor parties to take on Hassan.
—Reuters 10 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Kansas election officials identified two nomination loopholes during the 2024 cycle — one involving a candidate being nominated by a minor party without consent, and another where a candidate who lost in the primary reappeared under a minor party in the general election.
—Tyler Kirby, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
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Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
The American Independence Party of George Wallace did a little better in 1968, carrying five states and 46 electoral votes before disbanding nationally, even though a California affiliate remains as a minor party.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
The commission also disqualified the candidate for opposition party ACT-Wazalendo, leaving only minor parties to take on Hassan.
—Reuters 10 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Kansas election officials identified two nomination loopholes during the 2024 cycle — one involving a candidate being nominated by a minor party without consent, and another where a candidate who lost in the primary reappeared under a minor party in the general election.
—Tyler Kirby, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for minor party
Cite this Entry
“Minor party.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minor%20party. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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