In recent years, the state of Victoria has witnessed a proliferation of candidates and registered parties contesting elections, amid falling support for the major parties. This paper surveys some possible reasons for this phenomenon. 

The paper finds that very few studies exist on candidate proliferation, both historically and in recent years. No substantial material is apparent linking candidate proliferation to contemporary trends in political dissatisfaction or populism. 

Key findings

• While both the number of candidates and the number of parties in Victoria remained relatively static for much of the 20th century, both candidate and party numbers began to increase in Victoria after 2000.
• Candidate and party proliferation corresponded with a falling share of the vote for major parties. The number successfully obtaining representation is modest in most lower house chambers, and higher in upper houses with proportional representation in many jurisdictions. 
• The use of Group Voting Tickets appears to have amplified the trend towards party and candidate proliferation. Their abolition reduced the number of parties in New South Wales and Western Australia.