NonParty

NonParty is a term used to describe individuals or groups who are not formally affiliated with any political party. In election reporting and political analysis, a NonParty designation signals that a candidate does not run under a party banner, though they may share policy positions with some parties or caucus with them after election.

Usage and meaning vary by country. In some jurisdictions, candidates run as independents, with no party label on the ballot. In others, ballots may include a Non-Party or nonpartisan option, or elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis where party labels are minimized or absent. The designation helps voters distinguish between candidates who are part of organized parties and those who run without formal party affiliation.

NonParty candidates often rely on personal networks, civil society groups, issue-based campaigns, and grassroots fundraising rather than a party's organizational machinery. They may eschew traditional party endorsements in favor of direct engagement with local communities. This can broaden accessibility for candidates outside major parties but can also present challenges in fundraising, media exposure, and organizational support.

In legislative bodies, nonpartisan or NonParty groups can form coalitions across party lines, sometimes influencing agenda-setting without strict party discipline. The rise or persistence of NonParty candidates is frequently linked to debates over party influence, governance efficiency, and appeals to voters seeking alternatives to traditional party competition.

See also: Nonpartisan, Independent candidate, Political party, Electoral system.