As of early 2026, a record-high 45% of U.S. adults identify as political independents, surpassing the identification rate for either major party. These voters are highly dissatisfied with the two-party system, with 76% indicating they would be likely to vote for a "strong, well-funded independent candidate".
Below
are the 2026 voter approval ratings and sentiment on key 80-20 issues (broadly
supported across party lines or dominating the political discourse) for
Independent voters:
Top
80-20 Issues & Independent Sentiment
Influence of Money in Politics: 82% of Independents (along with 90% of Democrats and 78% of Republicans) are concerned about the influence of money in politics, with 77% viewing it as a threat to elections.
Balancing the Budget: 79% of registered Independent voters support the government moving to balance the budget.
Ballot Access Reform: A majority of voters (56%)—driven by the growing independent bloc—agree that expanding options beyond the two major parties would better serve democracy.
Anti-Gerrymandering: Roughly 80% of independent voters oppose partisan gerrymandering.
General Approval & 2026 Outlook
Direction of the Country: Only 25% of Independents are satisfied with the direction of the country.
Congressional Vote: In 2026 midterms, independents show a tendency to break toward Democratic candidates, with 38% favoring Democrats, 17% Republicans, and 39% undecided/neither.
Systemic Distrust: Independents (and voters generally) view the political system as a "broken tool" incapable of solving problems like inflation, AI, and climate change.
Key Takeaway
For
2026, independents are not merely "swing voters" but a growing,
anti-establishment force
prioritizing economic dignity (inflation/costs), transparency in campaign finance, and structural reform (no gerrymandering, more independent candidates) over party loyalty.
In 2026, registered independents—who now make up a record-high 45% of the electorate—show strong consensus on specific "80-20 issues" related to systemic reform and fiscal responsibility.
Key 80-20 Issues for Independents
Current polling indicates several areas where independent voter approval or support reaches near-consensus levels:
Voter Identification: Requiring photo ID and proof of citizenship to vote is a dominant 80-20 issue. Among independents, 84% support photo ID requirements at polling places.
Balancing the Budget: 79% of registered independents believe the U.S. government should move to balance the federal budget within the next few years.
Redistricting Reform: Approximately 82% of all voters, with high alignment among independents, favor having congressional redistricting done by an independent nonpartisan commission rather than the party in power.
Alternative Candidates: In a scenario featuring a "strong, well-funded independent candidate" willing to work with both sides, 76% of voters (heavily driven by the independent bloc) say they would be likely to support them.
General Issue Approval & Sentiment
Outside of high-consensus reform issues, independents remain highly critical of the current political climate:
System of Democracy: 61% of independents believe the U.S. system of democracy is currently not working.
Political Crisis: Nearly 80% of registered voters feel the country is witnessing a political crisis.
Top
Concerns: The most pressing issues driving independent sentiment for the
2026 midterms include inflation and the economy (46%), followed by
immigration and the state of democracy.
For more detailed breakdowns, you can view the latest findings from Gallup and Emerson College Polling.
Comments
Independents are favoring Republican Policies like Voter ID and a Balanced Budget and have introduced “Too Much Money in Politics” as a problem.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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