Think it’s easy to run for president as an Independent in the U.S.? Think again. In this episode of our new How It Really Works series, Chad Peace sits down with electoral reform powerhouse Cara McCormick to unpack why running outside the two-party system is so hard, it’s almost impossible.

Cara breaks down seven hidden barriers independent candidates face—from brutal ballot access laws to being shut out of debates. You’ll also hear real clips from RFK Jr. and Ross Perot as we rewind the tape on what happened when outsiders actually tried to make a run for it.

This episode is packed with wild (and sometimes infuriating) truths about the system—and it’s just the beginning.

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Some key moments of this episode:

00:00 – Welcome to “How It Really Works”

02:28 – Why No One Runs as an Independent

03:11 – RFK Jr. and the Ballot Access Trap

04:27 – Americans Elect: A Case Study

09:01 – The Financial Toll on Independents

12:22 – No Infrastructure, No Chance

17:14 – The Spoiler Effect Is Real

24:26 – Debate Stage Lockout

35:58 – Electoral College Math Doesn’t Add Up

39:10 – Even Insiders Get Shut Out

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