Gallup Poll: U.S. Voters Shift Toward Independent Identity

Gallup Poll: U.S. Voters Shift Toward Independent Identity/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A growing number of Americans, especially younger generations, are rejecting affiliation with either major political party. A new Gallup poll finds nearly half of U.S. adults now identify as independents, reflecting frustration with party polarization. This shift is reshaping the nation’s political landscape heading into future elections.

---

Independent Surge Among Young Voters: Quick Looks

• Gallup finds 45% of U.S. adults now identify as independents
• Shift reflects disillusionment with both Democrats and Republicans
• Gen Z and Millennials lead the movement away from party labels
• Independent identification among young adults now at record highs
• Democrats gain slight lean-in edge among independents for now
• Younger voters are more likely to see both parties as unrepresentative
• Political moderates increasingly call themselves independents
• Party polarization pushes centrists away from party affiliation
• Trump’s approval among independents is falling sharply
• Parties risk alienating their base by appealing to centrists

---

Gallup Poll: U.S. Voters Shift Toward Independent Identity

Deep Look

A growing number of Americans are distancing themselves from the traditional two-party system, with younger voters in particular driving a surge in political independence. A recent Gallup poll reveals that 45% of U.S. adults now identify as political independents — a dramatic rise from around 33% just two decades ago.

This increase is not only a reflection of voter dissatisfaction with both major political parties but also an indicator of shifting political values, especially among Millennials and Generation Z. The trend is reshaping how political power is distributed and how parties plan for future elections.

According to Gallup’s analysis, this move toward independence appears tied to frustration with the party in power rather than any strong allegiance to alternative ideologies. In recent months, independents have leaned more toward the Democratic Party, but that shift seems more about disapproval of President Donald Trump than enthusiasm for the Democrats themselves.

The Democratic Party currently holds a narrow edge among independents, with 47% of U.S. adults either identifying as Democrats or leaning Democratic. That compares to 42% who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party. These numbers reverse the advantage Republicans held during the earlier part of President Joe Biden’s term and mirror Democratic support levels from Trump’s first term in office.

Despite the short-term advantage, experts suggest Democrats are benefiting more from Republican missteps than from building enduring support. Trump’s declining favorability among independents, coupled with lingering distrust toward both parties, indicates that neither side has locked in the loyalty of this expanding voter group.

Young Americans are the most independent generation in modern political history. The Gallup report shows that over half of Gen Z and Millennial adults — those born between 1981 and 2007 — identify as political independents. That contrasts with Gen X, where about 40% are independents, and older generations, where the number drops to around 30%.

The trend marks a significant cultural shift. In previous decades, young people typically leaned toward one party, often the Democrats. In 1992, 40% of Gen X identified as independents. In 2012, 47% of Millennials did. By 2025, that number had grown to 56% among Gen Z. This generational move away from partisanship reflects increasing disillusionment with traditional party structures and priorities.

Gallup’s findings also suggest that today’s independents tend to be political moderates. In 2025, nearly half of self-identified independents — 47% — called themselves moderates. That’s a stark contrast with Democrats and Republicans, who have become more ideologically polarized.

Among Democrats, about 60% now identify as liberal, while the percentage calling themselves moderate is at historic lows. On the Republican side, 77% now identify as conservative, leaving little room for ideological diversity within the party.

This growing polarization leaves many moderates — especially younger ones — politically homeless, fueling the rise in independent affiliation. However, this trend presents a challenge for both parties. To win elections, they must appeal to independents, yet doing so could alienate their more committed, ideological base.

While independents may sway toward one party during a particular election cycle, their lack of long-term loyalty makes them a volatile and unpredictable force in U.S. politics. The growing number of voters rejecting party labels suggests that dramatic swings in political power could become more frequent in years to come.

With each election cycle, the influence of party-affiliated voters is diluted further by the rise of independents — particularly among the young. Whether political parties can adapt and reengage these voters remains an open question. For now, it’s clear: America’s youngest generations are not buying into the red-or-blue binary.

---

More on US News