As the 2020 United States presidential election approaches, the impact of independent voters is growing. Independent voters are the unsung heroes of U.S. politics, providing an opportunity for politicians to potentially glean extra support for their campaigns, and for general interest groups to propose and push for new or neglected ideas and movements. This article discusses who independent voters are in the United States, how they vote, the impact they have on elections, and how their numbers are growing.
What is an Independent Voter?
An independent voter is one who is not formally aligned with any political party. In some countries, independent voters may be called ‘undeclared’ or ‘unaffiliated’ voters. In the United States, independent voters are generally referred to as ‘independents’ or ‘non-partisans’. According to recent polls by the Pew Research Center, nearly 40% of registered voters in the US are independent voters, meaning they are not a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or member of any other political party.
How do Independent Voters Vote?
Independent voters do not have a party affiliation, so they cannot vote in either party’s primary election. However, they can still participate in the general election. In general, independent voters will decide for themselves who to vote for based on their own personal beliefs, with no direction or pressure from their party affiliation. This means independent voters have the potential to significantly influence an election, as their sole decision can carry more weight.
The Impact of Independent Voters
The impact of independent voters is growing as their numbers increase. In the 2016 US presidential election, independent voters made up nearly one-third of all eligible voters. Moreover, according to recent polls, nearly 40% of registered voters in the US are independents, meaning they have a notable effect on the outcome of elections.
Independent voters have a reputation for being more politically engaged than members of a party, meaning that their opinions are often sought out by campaigns and interest groups. Independent voters are also less likely to be swayed by populist rhetoric, and instead make decisions based on facts, research, and their own moral principles. This makes them incredibly valuable to politicians looking for tangible solutions to issues rather than political grandstanding.
The Growing Number of Independent Voters
The number of independent voters has grown significantly in recent years, and their influence is increasingly being felt in US elections. In 2016, nearly one-third of eligible voters were independent, and the number is expected to grow even more in the next election cycle. This is due in part to the increasing distrust of both major political parties, as well as the perceived lack of satisfaction with major party candidates.
The influence of independent voters can also be attributed to the rise of social media and the prevalence of technology in our lives. Many independent voters are attracted to niche political movements or platforms that their major party opponents often don’t consider or address. Social media platforms have also provided a platform for independent voters to express their ideas and preferences, further demonstrating the power of independent voters in today’s electoral landscape.
Independent voters are a growing and influential force in US politics. They offer a unique perspective outside the two major party systems, and can potentially sway an entire election. The number of independent voters continues to rise, and their influence is expected to be felt in the upcoming 2020 election. Independent voters are a powerful force in American politics and should not be underestimated.