The Anti-Masonic Party (also known as the Anti-Masonic Movement) was the first "third party" in the United States.  It strongly opposed Freemasonry and was founded as a single-issue party aspiring to become a major party. Although lasting only a decade, it introduced important innovations to American politics, such as nominating conventions and the adoption of party platforms.

From 1664 the Rhode Island proxy voting system was simply the sending of written ballots from voters who did not attend the election, rather than a true proxy system.