# Where does the "15%" mark come from for Independent candidates?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-15-mark-come-from-for-independent-candidates/765712>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 11, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-15-mark-come-from-for-independent-candidates/765712 "2016-09-11T21:15:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![Barack\_Obama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-15-mark-come-from-for-independent-candidates/765712/1 "2016-09-11T21:15:12Z")

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I know it’s in polls, but what polls? Is voting for Gary Johnson or Jill a worthless vote? I’ve always been confused on how the independent party works, especially in the presidential races. Now it seems I’m going to vote for an independent, but I don’t know how I guess.

Also I should point out this is my first general election I’ve voted in, same goes for the primaries. So I’m totally new to the whole operation, all I know is the independents need a 15% voter turnout in polls.

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