US midterms: What to know about independent voters and candidates
Summary
About 44 percent of U.S. adults identify as politically independent, but only a smaller share—about 7 to 10 percent of voters—report no lean toward either major party. In the 2026 midterms, polling cited in the article shows likely independent voters favoring Democrats over Republicans, while election rules and voter choices make it difficult for independent and third-party candidates to win seats.Key Facts
- Pew Research Center survey figures cited in the article say 44 percent of U.S. adults identify as independent, compared with 29 percent as Democrats and 28 percent as Republicans.
- Most people who identify as independent lean toward one of the two major parties.
- The article estimates that voters with no partisan leaning make up about 7 to 10 percent of the electorate.
- Marist polling cited in the article found that 52 percent of likely independent voters supported Democrats and 39 percent supported Republicans in the 2026 midterms.
- The article says independent respondents were more than three times as likely to say their vote was mainly against President Donald Trump.
- Winner-take-all elections and single-member congressional districts make it harder for minor-party candidates to win federal and statewide races.
- The article says voters may choose a major-party candidate they view as more viable rather than support an independent or third-party candidate they fear could act as a spoiler.
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