The last time any minor party or independent candidate (for office other than president) received as many as 1,000,000 votes was in New York in 1970, when James Buckley received 2,179,640 votes on the Conservative Party line. But on November 4, 2008, two Libertarians each polled over 1,000,000 votes. They are John H. Monds for Georgia Public Service Commissioner (who had only a Republican opponent) and William Bryant Strange for Judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, place 9 (who also had only a Republican opponent).

Measure 65, which would have established the “top-two” system in Oregon, was defeated on November 4.

There are many, many historical markers from tonight’s election. One that must not be forgotten is this: major parties that disrespect voters by trying to eliminate minor party and independent candidates, live to regret it.

In 2004, the Democratic National Committee spent millions of dollars to prevent voters from voting for Ralph Nader. Democrats lost the presidential election of 2004.

In 2008, the Pennsylvania Republican Party spent lavishly to prevent voters in Pennsylvania from voting for Bob Barr. Republicans lost the presidential election in Pennsylvania and nationally.

Also in 2008, the Maine Democratic Party became the one state Democratic Party in the country that acted to eliminate competition in a U.S. Senate race. Maine Democratic Party officials challenged the ballot position of Herb Hoffman, an anti-war independent. But the voters of Maine then re-elected Republican Susan Collins with a stunning 59% of the vote against Democratic nominee Thomas Allen.