A new high of 45% of Americans identify as political independents, according to a recent Gallup News poll. Independents have been the largest group since Gallup began tracking this measure in 1988.
By The Numbers:
While 45% of Americans said they’re Independents, 27% said they’re Democrats and another 27% Republicans. Independents have grown exponentially over the last 15 years, hitting 40% or higher since 2011.
Younger voters are fueling this independent boom, with 56% of Generation Z (born 1997-2007) saying they’re Independents, compared to 54% of Millennials (1981-1996), 42% of Generation X (1965-1980), 33% of Baby Boomers (1946-1964), and 30% of the Silent Generation (before 1946).
More Independents said they lean more conservative (27%) than liberal (24%), but most say they are moderate (47%). More Republicans said they’re “very conservative” (77%) than Democrats who said they’re “very Liberal” (59%).
The Bottom Line: Americans are frustrated with both Republicans and Democrats. So nearly half the country doesn’t identify with either major political party. Gallup speculates this is potentially due to an unpopular president from each party in the last ten years (Biden and Trump), causing power shifts in federal elections in the last few cycles. What 2026 candidates can learn from these numbers is that many Americans are rejecting extremes of both parties. Not only will campaigns need to get their vote out from their party’s base, but to win, persuade a healthy slice of Independents hesitant to wear either party’s jersey.
