In a virtual 800-person delegate meeting held on Friday, No Labels, a third-party organization, voted to proceed with the process of forming a presidential ticket to challenge President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. While an official ticket was not announced during the meeting, No Labels stated that discussions with potential candidates are underway.

According to Mike Rawlings, the convention chairman of No Labels, the delegates voted overwhelmingly to continue the organization's 2024 project and promptly begin identifying candidates for the Unity presidential ticket. The reasons behind the delegates' decision varied, reflecting their individual motivations.

No Labels plans to accelerate its candidate outreach and will disclose the selection process on March 14. Several individuals were considered as potential candidates but have withdrawn themselves from the running. Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia confirmed last month that he will not be seeking a bid for the White House. However, he is currently engaging with voters across the country as part of a listening tour. Similarly, former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, has recently launched a campaign for the Senate in his state.

Ryan Clancy, the chief strategist of No Labels, emphasized that the organization has not yet chosen a ticket. He clarified that any names circulating as potential candidates are being put forward by others.

In addition to the ongoing discussions about candidates, No Labels is actively working to achieve ballot access in all 50 states for the upcoming election. Currently, the organization is on the ballot in 16 states, including crucial swing states like Arizona and Nevada.

Founded in 2010 with the aim of promoting bipartisanship in Washington, No Labels took a significant turn in its approach ahead of the 2024 election, declaring its intention to present a "unity ticket" as an alternative to the major parties. The organization believes that the current climate, marked by dissatisfaction among Americans with their potential choices for president and frustration with the political system, is ripe for an alternative option.

The 2024 election has seen a surge of high-profile third-party presidential efforts, including figures such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and civil rights activist Cornel West, alongside No Labels and the familiar Libertarian and Green Party tickets. Kennedy is currently focused on his own ballot access campaign across the country, having secured a place on the ballot in Utah and actively collecting signatures for multiple others.

No Labels' participation in presidential politics has generated concerns among some former officials, donors, and allies, particularly among Democrats. They fear that any third-party candidate will detract anti-Trump votes from Biden. However, No Labels denies these allegations, asserting that it will only support a third-party slate if it has a realistic chance of winning. The organization has pledged to cease its activities if data suggests that their candidate would merely be a spoiler.

While No Labels has been discreet about its decision-making processes and donors, occasionally leading to contradictory statements, its move into presidential politics signifies a potentially seismic shift in the political landscape. With the 2024 election drawing closer, the trajectory and impact of No Labels' actions remain to be seen.