Ballot access rules that make it difficult for minor parties to secure a place for their candidates on the ballot in general elections can have significant effects on the policy agenda and policy debates in legislatures. What are the resulting effects on the policy agenda and the policy debates in legislatures? what are the effects on the policy agenda and the policy debates in legislatures that flow from ballot access rules that make it difficult for minor parties (i.e., other than Democrats or Republicans) to secure a place for their candidates on the ballot in general elections.