Harris entered the presidential race after President Joe Biden withdrew in July, following a disastrous debate with Trump that inflamed concerns about his age.
The former senator from California and Democratic candidate was the latest entrant in a race that now includes five candidates, though it's widely seen as a two-horse contest between her and the outspoken Republican candidate.
The other three presidential hopefuls from third parties remain relatively unknown outside the U.S. But who are they, and what do they stand for?
Chase Oliver
The 39-year-old politician is running for the U.S. presidency on the Libertarian Party ticket.
Oliver previously ran for a U.S. Senate seat from Georgia in 2022, where he garnered 2% of the vote.
As the youngest candidate in the race, Oliver describes himself as a champion of individual rights against the growing power of the state. His political activism began with opposition to the Iraq War during George W. Bush's presidency, and he joined the Libertarian Party after attending Atlanta's Pride Festival in 2010.
His running mate is Mike Ter Maat, a former police officer in Broward County who served from 2010 to 2021 as a registered Libertarian.
The Libertarian Party typically secures around 3% or less of the national vote, though its members could still play a pivotal role in swing states.
The party, founded in 1971, advocates for minimal government intervention in both economic and personal affairs. As one of the largest third parties in the country, it emphasizes individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and personal responsibility.
Jill Stein
The 74-year-old physician is running on the Green Party ticket, making her second stab at the presidency after her first attempt in 2016.
Stein launched her current campaign accusing Democrats of repeatedly betraying their promises 'for working people, youth, and the climate,' while stating that 'Republicans don't even make such promises in the first place.'
The Green Party is a progressive political party focused on environmental sustainability, social justice, grassroots democracy, and nonviolence.
Established in 1984, the party emerged from the global Green movement, which began in Europe in the 1970s. It positions itself as an alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties, particularly on issues of environmental protection and economic inequality.
While the Green Party rarely wins significant representation in national elections, it plays a crucial role in advocating for progressive issues, influencing policy discussions, and occasionally affecting election outcomes, especially in close races.
Cornel West
The 71-year-old American philosopher, scholar of African American studies, and political activist is running as an independent candidate. He has taught at prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Union Theological Seminary.
Initially, West ran as a Green Party candidate but announced in October that he would run as an independent, stating that people 'want good policies over partisan politics.' His campaign aims to attract progressive, Democratic-leaning voters.
At the top of his campaign pledges is ending poverty and guaranteeing housing.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
