You've probably heard the talking heads on TV go on and on about the "base." They act like the whole country is just two teams wearing different jerseys, screaming at each other from across a fence. But if you actually look at the data, that’s just not how America looks anymore.
Honestly, the biggest "party" in the United States doesn't even have a mascot.
When we talk about what percentage of voters are independent 2024, the numbers are actually pretty staggering. According to Gallup, about 43% of U.S. adults identified as political independents throughout 2024. That ties the record high. Think about that for a second. More than four out of every ten people you meet basically told the major parties, "I’m just not that into you."
Meanwhile, the Democrats and Republicans were stuck at 28% each. It’s a massive gap. But as with everything in politics, the surface-level number is only half the story.
Breaking Down the 43 Percent
If 43% of people are independent, why does the government still look like a two-party monopoly? Well, it’s because "independent" is a bit of a loaded term.
Most people who say they are independent aren't actually neutral. They’re what pollsters call "leaners."
Gallup and Pew Research have been digging into this for decades. Basically, if you push an independent voter long enough, they’ll usually admit they tend to vote for one side or the other. In 2024, those "leaners" were almost perfectly split.
Here is how that 43% actually looked under the hood in 2024:
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- Republican-leaning independents: 18%
- Democratic-leaning independents: 17%
- True "non-leaning" independents: 8%
That 8%—the people who truly don't feel a pull toward either side—are the real wildcards. They are the ones who actually decide who wins the White House.
Why the Independent Surge Happened in 2024
People are tired. That’s the simplest way to put it.
The 2024 election cycle was, frankly, exhausting for a lot of folks. You had a rematch that many voters didn't want, followed by a late-stage swap on the Democratic ticket. For many, the label "independent" is a way of distancing themselves from the constant bickering.
It’s a "none of the above" vibe.
There is also a huge generational shift happening. Younger voters—Millennials and Gen Z—are much less likely to sign up for a party "for life" like their grandparents did. They treat political parties more like apps on a phone; if it stops working or gets too buggy, they just stop using it.
In 2024, 44% of independents were under the age of 45. Compare that to the Republicans, where only 31% of their base is in that younger bracket. The "independent" label is effectively becoming the default for anyone who grew up with the internet and a healthy dose of skepticism toward big institutions.
What Percentage of Voters are Independent 2024: The Actual Election Turnout
Identification is one thing. Actually showing up to vote is another.
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When we look at who actually cast a ballot in November 2024, the "independent" share looks a little different than the general "adult population" surveys. Exit polls and post-election analysis from Edison Research and Pew show that independents made up about 34% of the actual electorate on Election Day.
That is a huge jump from 2020, where they were only about 26% of the voters.
So, what happened? Basically, millions of people who usually sit on the sidelines decided to show up. And when they did, they didn't show up as die-hard partisans. They showed up as frustrated customers looking for a change.
The Split in the Voting Booth
Even though they reject the party labels, these voters still had to pick a side. In the end, the independent vote was a dead heat. Nationally, independents broke 48% for Kamala Harris and 48% for Donald Trump, according to Pew’s validated voter data.
But "nationally" doesn't win elections. The Electoral College does.
In the swing states, the story shifted. In places like Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, the independent crowd leaned slightly more toward Trump. In Michigan and Wisconsin, they tilted toward Harris. This tiny, 1- or 2-point wiggle in the independent vote is exactly why the map turned out the way it did.
The Myth of the "Moderate" Independent
One big mistake people make is assuming all independents are "moderates."
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It makes sense on paper, right? If you’re not on the left or the right, you must be in the middle. But that’s not always true. Some independents are actually more extreme than the parties. They might think the GOP isn't conservative enough on spending, or that the Democrats aren't progressive enough on healthcare.
In 2024, about 47% of independents described themselves as moderates. But the rest were all over the map. You have "Libertarian-lite" independents, "Green-leaning" independents, and people who just want the government to leave them alone so they can mow their lawn in peace.
What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
Looking at what percentage of voters are independent 2024 tells us that the two-party system is on life support, even if the parties themselves haven't realized it yet.
By the start of 2025, Gallup saw the independent number climb even higher—hitting 45%. People aren't rushing back to the "red" or "blue" tents after the election. If anything, they're moving further away.
For the parties, this is a nightmare. You can't just "energize the base" to win anymore. If you ignore the 43% of the country that doesn't like you, you’re going to lose.
Your Next Steps as a Voter
If you’re part of that 43%—or if you’re thinking about joining them—there are a few things you should keep in mind to make your voice actually matter:
- Check Your Primary Rules: Many states have "closed" primaries. That means if you’re registered as an independent, you might be barred from voting for candidates until the general election in November. If you want a say in who the nominees are, you might need to temporarily affiliate or check if your state allows "open" primary voting.
- Look Past the "Independent" Label: Since "independent" can mean anything from a socialist to a tea-party conservative, don't assume a candidate is a centrist just because they don't have a D or an R next to their name. Check their voting record on local issues.
- Monitor the "Lean": Most data shows that even if you feel independent, your voting habits probably align with one party 90% of the time. Acknowledging your own "lean" can help you filter out the noise and focus on the specific policies that actually drive your decision.
- Local Matters More: While the national percentage of independents is high, your local city council or school board often has even more "non-partisan" seats. This is where independent-minded voters usually have the most direct impact on their day-to-day life.
The 2024 election proved that the "independent" voter isn't a myth or a small fringe group. They are the new American majority. Whether they can actually turn that numbers advantage into a new kind of politics is the big question for the next decade.