Big Picture

President Trump’s approval among independent voters has hit a historic low, creating a "big problem" for the White House as the midterms approach.

In a new report by Newsweek, our polling and research specialist Brett Loyd explains why this demographic is slipping away, noting that unlike party loyalists, "independents are the ultimate 'results' voters" who refuse to "grade on a curve."

In this week’s newsletter… our polling specialist Brett Loyd breaks down the "big problem" facing the White House as independent approval hits a historic low, while we investigate a landmark legal battle in Pennsylvania that could finally give 1.4 million voters a voice. We explore why 10,000 Americans are ditching their parties every single week and why a bold "Declaration of Independents" may be the only way to fix our broken electoral system. Finally, we travel to Kansas to see if a message of unity can win over the "exhausted majority" in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

NUMBER TO KNOW

28%

28% of independents approve of Donald Trump’s presidency.

This Week’s Independent Ideas

Will 1.4 Million Pennsylvanians Finally Get a Vote?

Pennsylvania remains one of only eight states that locks independent and third-party voters out of the primary process—but a major new legal challenge could change that.

As reported by Spotlight PA, advocates have filed a lawsuit arguing that the state’s closed primary system is unconstitutional, effectively disenfranchising a massive portion of the electorate. While the legislature has stalled on the issue for decades, the courts may now be the final hope for over a million voters wanting a say in who makes it to the general election.

10,000 People Are Leaving Their Parties Every Week—Here’s Why.

Independent voters are now the largest voting bloc in the U.S., yet they are systematically treated like "second-class citizens" in our democracy.

In a powerful analysis for The Fulcrum, Jeremy Gruber of Open Primaries argues that the current "red-versus-blue" framework is failing. From being locked out of primary elections to being ignored in national debates, millions of Americans are being penalized for their independence. Is it time for a "Declaration of Independents" to fix our broken electoral system?

Can a "Sunny Unity Message" Win Over a Divided Kansas?

As the nation prepares for a high-stakes midterm cycle, one Kansas City pastor is testing a radical strategy: focusing on what connects us rather than what divides us.

Reported by the Kansas Reflector, the story follows Pastor Adam Hamilton as he attempts to mobilize the "exhausted majority"—the millions of voters who feel politically homeless in a world of partisan extremes. In a landscape dominated by "us vs. them" rhetoric, can a message built on grace and common ground survive the heat of a modern campaign?

Partner Spotlight

The South Carolina Forum

The South Carolina Forum is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization bringing South Carolinians together to identify shared problems and help elected leaders implement effective solutions.

In 2026, they're gathering statewide input to find solutions with broad support, then convening a civic assembly of 50–100 residents to generate recommended actions. Working with bipartisan legislators and backed by data and resident testimony, they're ensuring the collective voice of South Carolinians shapes real policy outcomes.

Add your voice at scforum.org.

Paul Rieckhoff

Our good friend, host of the Independent Americans podcast, and Independent Veterans of America founder Paul Rieckhoff recently sat down with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show to deliver a powerful wake-up call to the nation.

Fresh from the IC

The Real Intelligence Crisis Isn't Artificial 

Everyone's worried about AI taking our jobs — but that's not the real crisis. The real one is in Washington.

This piece makes a compelling case that AI-driven disruption is nothing new — Americans have adapted to every wave of technological change, from the assembly line to the smartphone. The bigger threat isn't artificial intelligence. It's the lack of political courage to prepare workers, fix entitlement programs, and address the national debt before it's too late.

A refreshing, optimism-forward read for anyone tired of AI doomsday predictions. Read it here!

The Independent Center is the go-to organization for information, research, and engagement with independent voters, who now make up the plurality 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.