New high of 45% in US identify as political independents

a month ago

A record-high 45% of U.S. adults identified as political independents in 2025, surpassing previous years.
Equal shares of U.S. adults (27% each) identified as Democrats or Republicans in 2025.
Younger generations (Gen Z and millennials) are more likely to identify as independents compared to older generations.
In 2025, 56% of Gen Z adults identified as independents, higher than previous generations at similar ages.
More independents leaned toward the Democratic Party (20%) than the Republican Party (15%) in 2025.
Democrats held a five-point advantage in party leanings in 2025, reverting to levels seen during Trump's first term.
The conservative lead in ideology narrowed to seven points in 2025, the smallest gap since 1992.
Liberal identification among Democrats has risen significantly, from 25% in 1994 to 59% in 2025.
Party shifts in 2025 were influenced by negative evaluations of the incumbent president, driving independents toward the opposition.
Favorable ratings for both major parties remain low, with no significant advantage for Democrats over Republicans.

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