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

A political party is a group of people who have agreed on common goals and ideals, and who work together to promote them and win elections. Political parties typically have a central leadership, a platform of policies, and are organized in many different ways in different places. Political parties also seek to influence public policy by submitting their candidates for public office and/or by engaging in other activities, such as lobbying. On the other hand, an independent candidate is someone who is not affiliated with any political party. Independent candidates are beholden to no party’s platform, and so have the freedom to form their own policies based on their own beliefs and ideas. In some states, including Washington, independent candidates are allowed to run for office without filing a statement of organization with the state. Furthermore, in Washington, independent candidates don’t have to collect signatures from registered voters in order to appear on the ballot. In summary, the primary difference between a political party and an independent candidate is that a political party is a group of people who have agreed on a common platform of policies, while an independent candidate is beholden to no party’s platform, and has the freedom to form policies based on his/her own beliefs and ideas.

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

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