As the Republican presidential primary contest drags on and President Obama prepares for what could be a grueling reelection contest, there is a specter haunting the 2012 race — the possibility that a third-party candidate could capitalize on voter discontent with both political parties and throw a wrench in the whole process. AmericansElect.org, an organization aimed at backing a third-party candidate, received a boost at South By Southwest by winning the People’s Choice Award. The organization aims to hold the first online presidential primary in the nation’s history to select a candidate to face-off against President Obama and the Republican nominee. “This award confirms that Americans Elect is not just a growing political movement, but also a groundbreaking and innovative tech startup,” Joshua Levine, the group’s chief technology officer, said in a statment. “We’re honored to be recognized alongside so many other companies at SXSW using technology to empower people and improve the world around us.”
(MORE: SXSW Interactive Goes Political: Americans Elect Wins 2012 People’s Choice Award)