What is the difference between a political party and an independent candidate?

The major distinction between a political party and an independent candidate in New Mexico’s election law is that a political party is a formal organization that supports candidates for public office and has a platform of shared beliefs. On the other hand, an independent candidate is an individual who runs for public office without formal affiliation to any political party. In New Mexico, there are seven qualified political parties: Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Green, Independent American, Constitution, and Reform. These are the only parties whose candidates will appear on the ballot for the general election, with each having a different set of beliefs. For example, the Democratic Party supports progressive policies, while the Republican Party takes a more conservative stance. On the other hand, an independent candidate is someone who is not formally affiliated with any political party and may have beliefs that differ from any of the seven qualified parties. Independent candidates are usually either unaffiliated with any political party, or have beliefs which differ from the parties’ platforms. These candidates must meet the qualification requirements set out by the state in order to appear on the ballot. In summary, a political party in New Mexico is a formal organization with a shared set of beliefs, while an independent candidate is an individual who runs for office without any formal party affiliation.

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