America isn’t really set up for third-party presidential bids

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s dalliance with a 2020 presidential run as an independent has sparked outrage among many in the Democratic Party who are worried he’d divert votes away from their nominee and help President Trump get re-elected.

Schultz could give voters tired of Washington gridlock an alternative choice to the two-party system, but history suggests that such a bid is unlikely to win. And that’s not only because it’s unclear who would support an independent candidate but also because of the structural barrier the Electoral College poses. Here’s a look at some of the very real obstacles third-party candidates face.