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- #16 - What is an independent voter?
#16 - What is an independent voter?
You're an Independent If...
You’re an Independent If…
Independents believe success comes from a bipartisan approach.
Lura Forcum, January 24.
Few things are more satisfying than sparking a lightbulb moment during a conversation with someone.
I was talking with a family friend last weekend. He was asking me about the Independent Center and what we were up to. I explained the rise of the independent voter and how disruptive independents are becoming to our two-party system.
He furrowed his brow, seemed interested, and said he voted for George W. Bush twice, Obama twice, and then Trump three times.
“Oh, then you’re one of us,” I replied.
And there it was – the lightbulb.
What is an Independent?
We hear from folks frequently, asking what is an independent, what it means, and what are the issues that matter most to independents. To begin to untangle the issue, we wrote, What is an independent voter?
What makes us independents is not that we swing back and forth, but that as independents we are trapped in a system that forces us to choose between two extremes.
We see issues and policies from both sides. We don’t blindly follow either party but instead shift our vote (maybe every election cycle) and split our tickets. We’ll vote for a Democrat for president, a Republican for governor, and perhaps even a third-party candidate at the local level.
Independents do this at twice the rate of partisan voters.
To borrow from George W. Bush, independent voters are the "deciders."
According to Gallup a plurality of the electorate has self-identified as independent for well over a decade. Our own polling puts the number around 40 percent – and growing, especially among younger voters.
Success Means Bipartisanship
Independents reject the extremes of both parties. We want our country to succeed and prosper. And for us success means the Trump administration, or any other, address the key issues with policies that have bipartisan support.
64% of independents want Trump to work across the aisle and pass bipartisan measures for our country
58% of independents would consider the Trump administration a success IF he reaches across the aisle to enact bipartisan policies
55% of independents believe their quality of life and standard of living will improve with moderate bipartisan policies
Trump made a lot of promises during the 2024 election. Many of which had support from independents, like addressing affordability and inflation. Many of us were intrigued initially by the potential of the DOGE commission.
As independents, we want to see common-sense solutions that address our everyday concerns.
This is how we hold Trump, or any administration in the future, to account. Elected officials need to deliver on what matters to us.
Or, just like previous election cycles, independents will shift their votes and once again be the “deciders.”
Our survey findings and analysis are available now. In the coming weeks we’ll release new survey updates focusing on independents who lean Democrat, independents who lean Republican, and voters as a whole.
How Can You Help?
The simplest answer is to talk to your friends and family and share your views. We all know independent-minded folks who split their tickets, crave bipartisanship, dislike negative campaigns, prefer solutions over partisanship, and are tired of political dysfunction.
We decide the election winners. By raising our voices and demanding bipartisanship we can have an impact.
Help us spread the word. Get your friends and family to sign up to our newsletter, talk about the power of independent voters.
In doing so, you may end up having a lightbulb moment like I did!
Latest News from the Independent Center
The Independent Center is the go-to organization for information, research, and engagement with independent voters, who now make up the majority of the electorate.
We represent those who are fed up with partisan politics and feel politically homeless. We believe the future is not red or blue; it’s fiscally responsible, socially inclusive, and free to choose the best options for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
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