Nader effect

proper noun

The effect that a candidate for the corresponding political office (especially the office of President of the United States) can have on a close political election, when their candidacy results in the election being won by a candidate dissimilar to them, rather than one similar to them.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. USgovernmentThe effect that a candidate for the corresponding political office (especially the office of President of the United States) can have on a close political election, when their candidacy results in the election being won by a candidate dissimilar to them, rather than one similar to them.

Origin

Named after Ralph Nader, whose candidacy for President of the United States in the year 2000 was contended to have "spoiled" the election for Al Gore, by taking away enough votes from Gore in Florida and many other states to allow George W. Bush to win.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Nader effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Nader%20effect

MLA

“Nader effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Nader%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Nader effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Nader%20effect.

Source: Nader effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.