New High of 45% in U.S. Identify as Political Independents
More independents lean Democratic than Republican, giving Democrats edge in party affiliation for first time since 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A record-high 45% of U.S. adults identified as political independents in 2025, surpassing the 43% measured in 2014, 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, equal shares of U.S. adults — 27% each — identified as either Democrats or Republicans.
In most years since Gallup began regularly conducting its polls by telephone in 1988, independents have been the largest political group. However, the independent percentage has increased markedly in the past 15 years, typically registering 40% or higher, a level not reached prior to 2011.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/700499/new-high-identify-political-independents.aspx