(Dawn Megli/ Neon Tommy)

While many voters have not heard of Virgil Goode, this man could have a significant impact on the upcoming presidential election. 

Goode is a Constitution Party candidate whose name will appear on the ballots of some 26 states come Nov. 6. 

While he does not claim a large portion of the vote, his inclusion on the ballot in key swing states, including his home state of Virginia, could be enough to affect the election.

Daniel Palazzolo, a professor of political science at the University of Richmond, said that Goode will be a factor in the race. 

"Goode is problematic in Virginia because he has a following," he said. "He could potentially upset the race."

Goode served as a Virginia congressman for 12 years as a Democrat, Republican and Independent. His conservative agenda poses a threat to Romney's efforts in Virginia. Virginia looks to be a key swing state this election with 13 electoral votes, which Obama won in 2008.

The race in Virginia is expected to be so tight that the slightest margin of votes could determine the outcome.

Polling for Goode shows that he might reach 2 percent of the vote statewide, but with the race nearly even, 2 percent might be all that it takes for one candidate to win.

"Third party candidates are not affecting the nature of debates or issues in this election," Palazzolo said. "Their biggest threat is to siphon off votes from the other candidates. In Virginia there is the potential to siphon off votes from Romney."

But Goode is not worried about taking votes away from Romney. He is in favor of allowing the people to choose the candidate they want, regardless of party affiliation.

"We will get votes from people in the past who have supported Obama and we will get votes from persons in the past who have voted Republican and may vote for Romney this time," Goode said in an interview.  "But we are also going to get a lot of votes from persons who haven't voted in the past who were not going to vote this time because they did not like the choices they had."

Historically, there has been speculation that third party candidates simply play a spoiler role in elections. Since neither third party candidate has a chance at winning, some view voting for a third party as a waste of a vote. 

"There is dissatisfaction with both national candidates," Palazzolo said. "Some people instead of not voting at all will vote in protest. It depends on what is important to the individual and they will not view it as throwing their votes away."

Goode's appeal stems from his self-proclaimed "true conservatism." He has taken a hard stance on immigration, abortion, gay marriage and wars in the Middle East. 

While the third party candidates have not made a loud impact on the election so far, the major party candidates have been feeling the pressure. The Romney campaign even sued to try and get him off the ballot in Virginia. 

Goode participated in the Third Party Debate held on Oct. 23. The final Third Party Debate will be held Nov. 5 in Washington, D.C. after rescheduling due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy.

Reach Staff Reporter Jillian Olivas here.