The American political landscape has changed forever, according to recently released polling data from Gallup. In a country where polarization has become the new normal, the unthinkable has happened – nearly half of all Americans have abandoned the two major parties
The political revolution that rocked America in the 2016 elections is turning into a full-blown tsunami, as Gallup’s latest polling data reveals a shocking trend – 49% of Americans now identify as independents, an all-time high. This means that there are nearly equal numbers of registered Republicans, Democrats, and Independents across the nation.
The poll, which collected responses from 10,000 U.S. voters in 2023 and compared them against samples taken 20 years ago, reveals that voters are no longer content with the two major parties and are looking for alternatives.
Pollsters say the trend is being driven by a growing disillusionment with U.S. institutions, dissatisfaction with the status quo leadership in Washington, and lower levels of trust in the two major parties. Gallup analyst Jeff Jones adds that voters are turning to independent candidates as they age.
Gallup analyst Jeff Jones added, “It was never unusual for younger adults to have higher percentages of independents than older adults. What is unusual is that as Gen X and millennials get older, they are staying independent rather than picking a party, as older generations tended to do.”
Among those still registered with the two major parties, Republicans now enjoy only a slim five-point margin over Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters.
As the number of voters identifying as independents grows, the two major parties are scrambling to retain their supporters. Without deep wells of party faithful to draw from, and an ever-changing political landscape, both national party organizations could struggle with raising the funds and recruiting the volunteers needed to compete on the local and national stages.
However, the Republican and Democratic National Committees are facing historical headwinds: the United States Senate, White House, or U.S. House have all changed hands since 2004. With the exception of President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection, the House changed hands with the exception of President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection. Pollsters point to antsy, dissatisfied independents as the cause.
With no labels, a third-party organization is hoping to run an independent candidate in next year’s presidential election and help him or her get on the ballot in most states.
However, if Democrats want to be a part of this fight they might want to find a different candidate other than Biden as polls are not favoring the incumbent.
The rise of independents is a seismic shift in the American political landscape, and one that spells doom for the two major parties. With voters growing increasingly frustrated with the two major parties, and looking for new alternatives, the political establishment could be at risk of losing control if the people decide to capitalize.
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