"Spoiler candidates" refer to individuals running for political office who are not expected to win but can influence the outcome of an election. They often draw votes away from major candidates, potentially altering the results in favor of another candidate. This phenomenon is particularly significant in elections with multiple candidates, where the distribution of votes can be critical. The presence of a spoiler candidate can lead to strategic voting, where supporters of a major candidate may choose to vote for a less popular candidate to prevent an undesirable outcome. This situation is commonly discussed in the context of third-party candidates and their impact on presidential elections in countries like the United States.