Washington, August 25 (RHC)-- A new opinion poll in the United States shows over one-fifth of Americans do not support either Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton or her Republican rival Donald Trump.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that a least 22 percent of likely voters wouldn't pick either candidate.  That lack of support is high compared with how voters responded to the poll during the 2012 U.S. presidential election between Democratic President Barack Obama and his Republican rival Mitt Romney.

"Those who are wavering right now are just as likely to be thinking about supporting a third-party candidate instead, and not between Clinton and Trump," said Tom Smith, who directs the Center for the Study of Politics and Society at the University of Chicago.

Previous polls have shown that Clinton and Trump are ranked among the most unpopular presidential candidates in America’s history.  Critics say both candidates represent special interest groups rather than the people’s interests.

“There is a tremendous need for a third party in America, but like this poll shows I really believe this is a circus and most the American people are coming to realize that they have no legitimate representation that the two major parties and their candidates are established candidates,” former U.S. presidential nominee Merlin Miller told Press TV.

“They truly represent special interest groups and not the American people,” he added.  “The American people are aware that we’re in trouble.  There are a lot of problems affecting America. The major parties are not dealing with these issues.  Unfortunately, our mainstream media does not even address the major issues that are affecting the average Americans.”