The World’s Richest Man Will Have to Overcome America’s Toughest Political Obstacles — Here’s What It Will Take to Make His America Party Thrive

Elon Musk just created the America Party. He announced his intentions on social media on July 4, framing it as a challenge to what he calls the “uniparty” stranglehold on U.S. politics. Musk suggested breaking the two-party system is “not hard, tbh.”

While he may be correct that most Americans have become disillusioned with the two major parties, building a successful third party in the United States remains one of the most challenging and elusive undertakings in politics.

As IVN has long reported, the U.S. system is structured in many ways that stifle competition outside the Democratic and Republican parties. 

Still, with Musk’s $400 billion in resources, his global reach, unconventional message, and outsider approach, the America Party certainly presents him with an opportunity to chart a new path.

Here are seven strategies Elon Musk could employ to ensure the America Party would thrive for decades to come:

1. Stop Excluding Half of America’s Voters

The Barrier: Closed primaries in many states exclude independents — nearly half of all U.S. voters. This makes it more difficult for any new party to expand its base.

The Solution: The America Party could launch nonpartisan, citizen-led campaigns in every state to pressure legislatures or persuade citizens to pass open or nonpartisan primary laws similar to those used in California and Alaska. These systems let all voters, regardless of party, choose from all candidates.

2. Fix the Rules That Let Unpopular Candidates Win

The Barrier: Plurality systems (first-past-the-post) in most states allow candidates in a three-person or four-person race to win the election without a majority, often discouraging voters from backing alternatives for fear of accidentally helping elect their least favorite candidate. Winner-take-all elections are poisonous to our nation’s political health because they cement the duopoly in place.

The Solution: Organize citizens to pass state laws, similar to those in Maine and Alaska, that eliminate the spoiler effect by allowing voters in the general election to rank their choices in order of preference. America Party could launch nonpartisan, citizen-led, more choice initiatives in statehouses nationwide.

3. End the Map-Rigging Game 

The Barrier: Gerrymandered districts give the Democratic and Republican parties an advantage, limiting competition.

The Solution: Support independent redistricting commissions and fund massive public education campaigns explaining how gerrymandering suppresses voter choice.

4. Build the Legal Engine Required Just to Get on the Ballot

The Barrier: Stringent signature and fee requirements mean third parties must clear high hurdles just to get on the ballot. And even when they meet these requirements, the two parties will sue to get them off -- costing prolonged legal fees that third parties can't afford.

The Solution: Build and sustain a national ballot access operation with experienced legal and communications teams paired with party organizers in every state, ready to file lawsuits and publicize scandals that violate voter choice. Explore partnerships with existing minor parties to gain quicker access.

5. Crash the Debate Stage — Or Build a Better One

The Barrier: Debate rules almost always lock out independent candidates through high polling thresholds or party affiliation requirements.

The Solution: The America Party should have its own debate channel and host parallel debates and town halls streamed online, drawing public attention and building pressure for more inclusive standards.

6. Be Aware of the Referees Who Work for One Team or the Other

The Barrier: In almost every state, election administration is controlled by partisan officials, resulting in rules and processes that disadvantage third-party challengers and citizen-led ballot initiatives trying to change the rules.

The Solution: Support nonpartisan election oversight groups and public accountability campaigns to ensure fair treatment. Run campaigns that expose the barriers to access and use that pressure to open up the system.

7. Make the America Party Too Big to Ignore

The Barrier: Voters are constantly told that third parties “can’t win,” reinforcing two-party dominance. Third-party candidates often lack viability due to a lack of name recognition and a lack of discipline in their nonpartisan messaging.

The Solution: Provide overwhelming financial and intellectual resources to promote the best ideas and most credible and appealing candidates. Voters who believe that success is possible for their candidates and the party will help grow the infrastructure necessary to win contests every two years.

Building a Party from Scratch

Launching a party isn’t just about ideas or money. It requires:

• State-level organizations to handle ballot access and recruitment.
• Grassroots networks of volunteers and activists.
• Unifying ideas that appeal to the majority of Americans to avoid being seen as a disruptive vanity project.

The 2026 midterms are only months away. Scaling up in time to meet that moment will be one test of Musk’s seriousness. As for reshaping U.S. politics over the long term, that will be another test altogether.

Can Musk Beat the System?

The barriers are formidable but not impossible to overcome. Reformers across the country are already working to open primaries, eliminate spoilers, and make room for more choices. With his resources and platform, Musk could amplify these efforts and give the America Party a chance to succeed where all other reformers have failed over the long term.

The next few months will reveal whether Musk’s announcement marks the start of a serious effort to completely break America’s two-party system or just another flash in the pan.