Gallop Poll Shows Democratic, Republican Identification Near Historical Lows

In 2015, for the fifth consecutive year, at least four in 10 U.S. adults identified as political independents. The 42% identifying as independents in 2015 was down slightly from the record 43% in 2014. This elevated percentage of political independents leaves Democratic (29%) and Republican (26%) identification at or near recent low points, with the modest Democratic advantage roughly where it has been over the past five years.

Although political independents lack a strong enough attachment to either party to say they identify as a Republican or a Democrat, most are inclined to favor one party over the other and generally vote that way. After initially asking Americans if they identify as a Republican, a Democrat or an independent, Gallup then probes independents as to whether they lean toward the Republican or the Democratic Party. The combined percentages of party identifiers and leaners give a sense of the relative strength of the two major parties in the U.S., because in most elections, voters are asked to choose a candidate from one of the two parties.

Last year, in addition to the 29% of Americans who identified as Democrats, another 16% said they were independents but leaned toward the Democratic Party, for a combined total of 45% Democrats and Democratic leaners among the U.S. population. Likewise, 26% of Americans identified as Republicans and an additional 16% identified as independents but leaned toward the Republican Party, for a combined total of 42% Republicans and Republican leaners.

But as an independent, you must also review the fact that in many states, with a closed primary system, independents have no choice but the major party candidates at the General Election. Yes, there are other minor party and independent candidates on the ballot, but many are single issue candidates that only appeal to a smaller constituents.

My answer to this problem is to remove primaries and only have a General Election with Ranked-Choice voting. This will eliminate the cost to the taxpayer of running many primary and run-off elections. This year, in New York, there is the possibility of 6 primaries and run-offs before the General Election. Remove some of the cost to the party and candidates as they will only have to campaign for the General Election. And finally, the voters will pick the winners, not the parties.

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NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker