No Labels and the 2024 Presidential Insurance Plan

After observing record voter dissatisfaction with the choices in the 2024 U.S. presidential election—Democratic nominee President Joe Biden and Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump—the bipartisan nonprofit No Labels decided to reserve ballot access in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, aiming to facilitate a path for a moderate, “unity” candidate willing to run an independent campaign. They called it an “insurance policy.” The case tracks the challenges they faced—the byzantine election regulations, pressure and lawsuits from the major parties, and skepticism about their motives and strategy—ultimately leading to them ending the campaign after no credible unity candidates stepped forward.