The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Jan. 14, 2026
The number of Americans identifying as independents reached a new high, at the expense of both major parties. An updated Gallup tracking poll found 45% of respondents called themselves political independents, led by younger Americans.
Gallup asked 13,000 people this question over 2025: “In politics, as of today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat or an independent? As of today, do you lean more to the Democratic Party or the Republican Party?”
The polling found 54% of Millennials, born from 1981 to 1996, said they were independents, and 56% of GenZ voters. They were followed by GenX independents at 42%.
As to how those independents lean, Gallup noted that Democratic – leaning independents were up from 17% in 2024 to 20% in 2025. Republican – leaning independents were down three points, from 18% to 15% over the same period.
Voters who said they were solidly Republican or Democratic tied at 27%, down from 30% of Democrats in 2020, and 29% of Republicans.
When combining the party faithful and leaning independents, 47% of those polled identified or leaned Democrat, while 42% identified or leaned Republican, the first time in three years Democrats have had the edge.
We’ve linked the full Gallup poll at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Gallup – New High of 45% in U.S. Identify as Political Independents
Gallup – (2024 -Previous poll results) Independent Party ID Tied for High; Democratic ID at New Low
Pew Research – Party Affiliation Fact Sheet (NPORS)
ASU Morrison Institute for Public Policy – (2017) Gamechangers? Independent Voters May Rewrite the Political Playbook
Unite America – Research Brief: Significant Share of Young Voters Are Independents
American Democracy Minute –
Groups Taking Action:
Independent Center, Independent Voter Project, Unite America
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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