Americans today are far more likely to identify as an Independent than either a Democrat or a Republican.

The development of a political identity often precedes the formation of partisan attachments.

Independents are motivated by a desire for more authentic forms of political engagement.

The future of American democracy depends on engaging Independents as themselves.

According to a 2026 Gallup poll, 45 percent of Americans identify as Independent, while 27 percent identify as Democrats and 27 percent identify as Republicans. The two legacy parties in the United States would have you believe there are only two options for political identity—you’re either a Democrat or a Republican. However, Americans today are far more likely to identify as an Independent than either a Democrat or a Republican.

This trend has been well researched since at least the 1960s. Between the 1960 and 2012 elections, the share of self-identified Independents doubled from 23 percent to 46 percent, rendering Independents the most........

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