pros and cons of being an independent voter

In fact, his rating among Democratic-leaning independents during his first two years was about as low as his rating among Democrats (7% in 2017, 9% in 2018). Only about a quarter of non-leaners approved of Trumps job performance during his first two years, while about six-in-ten (58%) disapproved. While there isn't any data (that I've seen) showing "an advantage" of registering Independents rather than of the two major parties, the way you engage them as a voter is highly correlated with their long-term engagement with the political process. New announcement, ASPSU president takes executive action to create financial relief, Guinness World Records oldest man dies at 112, On-Campus Events Calendar: April 25-May 1, Matthew N. Andrews and Andrew D. Jankowski, Movies go for the Olympics gold, so you dont have to. This is part of an overall process to modernize the elections process, Logan said. As a 14-year registered Democrat and 1-year registered Republican, the only advantage I see as registering as an independent is that you don't get bombarded by phone calls and mailers when it comes time for the Primary. A combination of issues prompted us to see if there was a better way, Padilla said. @user4012 no the state always votes maryland. For those who want to remain unaffiliated, the card now gives them a box to check next to a new selection, No Party/None.. Do you consider yourself independent person? If no candidate has a majority, the candidate with the least first-choice votes is eliminated, and those voters second-choice candidates receive their votes. He said critics are biased if they arent also asking all the other parties about confusion regarding their names. It's too late to change that platform, even if the politician were willing to do so, and thus there is limited options to address the independent's needs, at least without reneging on your platform and promises. In June 2017, a majority of adults (62%) favored allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally, while just 32% were opposed. The card millions of Californians use to register to vote is receiving its first makeover in more than a decade, inspired in part by confusion over how to become an independent unaffiliated voter a problem highlighted by a Los Angeles Times investigation in 2016. Considering we're generally in a 2-party system, the fewer voters who are registered as one or the other, the more likely candidates will try to appeal to the larger population, rather than just their "base". If you really want to be more independent, and have the opportunity for a lot of . Voters from all walks of life including celebrities, business leaders and the spouses of candidates said they incorrectly filled out the forms. Scottish Independence Scottland has been a part of the UK since 1707 after James VII was deposed in 1688 England feared that Scottland would go its own way which led to a formal union of the two kingdoms. Maryland is safely a Democratic leaning state, with the last time going to a Republican was in 1988, giving its 10 electoral votes to Bush. In contrast to Republicans, Republican-leaning independents favored same-sex marriage (58% were in favor, 37% were opposed). Yet Trumps rating among independents who lean to the opposing party like his rating among members of the opposing party was much lower than recent presidents. Majorities of both Democrats (69%) and independents (68%) favor legalizing marijuana; Republicans are divided, with 45% supportive of legalization and 51% opposed. First, a pragmatic argument: an Independent candidate has rejected the advantages of being part of an established infrastructure and support network. The poll failed with 55% No voters . George Wallace. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Is it safe to publish research papers in cooperation with Russian academics? Most independents who do not lean toward a party share this view (70%). Sanders had been pegged by many Democratic voters as too socialist, loud and abrasive, along with many other words. Pros of Independence Self-confidence. But what about the large share of Americans who identify as independents? By allowing candidates to see that theyre supported, even if theyre not the favorite, we encourage those candidates to run and express their opinions. Theres a reason why more and more people have shifted over to being registered as an independent voter in the wake of the last several elections. Right now, independents can certainly run, but they face a low likelihood of winning as they're labeled "spoilers" who will make it harder for the similar, mainstream candidate to win a race. A recent Pew Research Center report took a detailed look at these Americans. Are there any other pros to being independent? First off, you dont have to be pressured by one party or another to vote a specific way. Another con of being registered as an Independent is that people feel they have less of if no voice. It's important when considering independent contract work to understand the pros and cons of working as an independent contractor. However, this simplicity comes at a cost that frustrates some, as voters cant differentiate between how much they like or dislike candidates. Want to read more content like this? All rights reserved (About Us). They are also the single-most impediment to fixing our problems. Politics are not black and whiteelections shouldnt just be about blue versus red, left versus right, Democrats versus Republicansbut about how much we as people are willing to put forward change in this country. Why did US v. Assange skip the court of appeal? Nearly nine-in-ten Democratic leaners say immigrants strengthen the country because of their hard work and talents, compared with a somewhat narrower majority of Democrats (80%). Among GOP-leaning independents, a 60% majority favors legalizing marijuana. Sanders suspending his campaign additionally meant Joe Biden would be the Democratic candidate for the 2020 electionthough not officially, as Sanders is still on the primary ballots, but is unlikely to secure votes. and fellow former Democratic presidential candidates. His rating among GOP-leaning independents (72% in 2017, 69% in 2018) was not markedly different from Obamas and Clintons ratings among Democratic-leaning independents during their first two years in office (though much lower than Bushs among Republican leaners). Your email address will not be published. Public support for legalizing marijuana use has followed a similar upward trajectory in recent years. Changes are also planned for Californias online registration site registertovote.ca.gov to better highlight whether to pick a party or take a pass. Is voting worth trading your moral or ethical stance for? Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, found a substantial number of Californians who registered with the American Independent Party wrongly believed they werent part of any political party, Road to vindication for Californias Barbara Lee, the only member of Congress to vote against Afghanistan war, Burned trees and billions in cash: How a California climate program lets companies keep polluting, Column: A centrist, third-party alternative for 2024 is a nice idea but a nightmare in practice, founded in 1968 to boost the presidential campaign of former Alabama Gov. Required fields are marked *. Instant Runoff Voting (IRV)/Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Partisan divides in the United States are as wide as theyve ever been in the modern political era. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. 2Independents who lean to one of the two parties are often much closer to partisans in their views than they are to independents who lean to the other party. The share of Democratic-leaning independents with a very unfavorable opinion of the Republican Party has more than quadrupled between 1994 and 2018 (from 8% to 37%). And while men account for about half of Republicans (51%) and four-in-ten Democrats (40%), they account for 64% of Republican leaners and 51% of Democratic leaners. In both parties, the shares of partisan identifiers and leaners with unfavorable impressions of the opposition party are at or near all-time highs. Progressives and independents are told a vote for the third party is a vote for Trump, or any other Republican or majority candidate. Nobodys stopping you. . It only takes a minute to sign up. Other primary election types include: 1) open primaries, in which a voter either does not have to formally affiliate with a political party in order to vote in its primary or can declare his or her . And greater diversity of candidates running means more choice for voters. John Myers led the Los Angeles Times coverage of state government as Sacramento bureau chief from 2015 to June 2022. 1615 L St. NW, Suite 800Washington, DC 20036USA He didnt represent the ideologies and policies of the Democratic party, but rather pushed an agenda that aligned with, the Green Partys socialist and lower-class-first initiative. Over the same period, there has been a decline in the share expressing a negative view of both parties, from 23% in 2015 to 17% currently. Those who do not lean toward a party a group that consistently expresses less interest in politics than partisan leaners were less likely to say they had registered to vote and much less likely to say they voted. Read parts one and two. This is an update of a post originally published July 5, 2016, and written by Samantha Smith, a former research assistant at Pew Research Center. Still, the share of independents who view both parties negatively has declined in recent years. Independents also have a negative view of increased tariffs between the U.S. and its trading partners (53% say they will be bad for the U.S., 36% good for the U.S.). Donate to Giving Compass to help us guide donors toward practices that advance equity. At one point in 2015, more than a third of independents (36%) viewed both parties unfavorably. Republican-leaning independents favor expanding the border wall, though by a smaller margin than Republicans identifiers. Many of Sanders supporters felt his chances at the presidency had been smeared and interfered with by liberal media. I, Dont forget!The Vanguard always has the late, ARTS: Portland literary open mic shines spotlight, How do you feel about the CPSO Rearmament? Just as an FYI, I live in Florida and we also have closed elections. Since 2000, there have been sizable increases in the shares of both Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who identify as conservative. Still, about 70% of GOP leaners approved of his job performance during his first two years in office. Work on the new voter registration card began early last year. Successful ballot initiatives can create, change or repeal state and local laws . A majority of those who identify as Republicans (55%) say immigrants burden the country. In general elections, what percent of registered party voters defect, on average? Independent contractors must fund 100% of their Medicare and Social Security taxes, health insurance, and retirement. That average can go up even more in various U.S. cities and states. Voting has become a toxic act where people are told, if you dont vote for our candidate, you dont belong to our party. Why should people have to vote for someone they dont believe in and dont support? Being an independent contractor can be rewarding since it offers you the ability to be your own boss, choose which clients to work for, and allow you to work from home. State elections officials consulted with voting rights advocates and local registrars on the best way forward. You'll also find a bevy of resources on the U.S. Small Business Administration's website. Bernie Sanders was a Democrat in name only. Thus the only way to win the primaries is to be the most Democratic or Republican you can be; not to moderate your platform. And now in September 2014 there was a public poll if there should have been a Scottish Independence. Trumps rating also was low among independents who have no partisan leanings. Political parties are able to draw on resources, financial . It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Through our local organization, Independent Voters for Arizona, thousands of letters are being directed to state and party leaders, seeking equal voting rights as independents in primary elections! In early 2018, similar shares of Republicans (77%) and Democrats (74%) said the quality of candidates running for Congress in their district in the last several elections had been good. Voting has become a toxic act where people are told, "if you don't vote for our candidate, you don't belong to our party." Why should people have to vote for someone they don't believe in and don't support? The site is popular, as 40% of all newly registered California voters since 2017 used it to sign up. Firstly because of the restriction on voting in primaries. In this article, we define what an independent contractor is and list examples, as well as explore the pros and cons of this type of work. You might find your opinions were a lot different than you thought, or that maybe, you just dont care as much as you felt you needed to. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. Parabolic, suborbital and ballistic trajectories all follow elliptic paths. Democratic leaners include roughly equal shares of men (51%) and women (49%). As an independent contractor, you're your own boss, meaning you have more control, but you also have more responsibility. Updated on June 03, 2021. Who's to say that politicians won't one day decide that the average voter doesn't know what's best for them and elect a candidate who clearly does not represent the choice of the people? I'm registered currently as an independent. I work in the Presidential battleground state of Florida, we have a lot of state representative, county commission races, etc. PRO: Your Income Potential is Unlimited. Being independent you can think for yourself and not be constrained by party dogma. ), At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Presidential battleground states consider more election funding, Montana latest to ban hormone treatment and other care for transgender minors, Florida Republicans pass bill that would allow DeSantis to run for president while governor, At rape lawsuit trial, Trump lawyer questions why E. Jean Carroll didnt scream, North Carolina justices hand Republicans big win with election rulings. A wave of disappointment washed over democratic voters after Al Gore won the candidacy in 2000, and again in 2016 with Clinton, and its happening again with Biden this year. Statistically, it doesnt even make sense. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. When Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the 2020 United States Presidential Race on April 8, the fallout was palpable, especially among those who identify as independent. Independently decide if you really want to continue with Governor Bentley and have your children be last in education among the states. . While there is a lot of freedom that comes with being an independent contractor, there is also a great deal of responsibility that comes with it. They are giving up voting on who gets to represent each party at all. Trumps early rating among independents is closest to Clintons, whose job approval averaged about 42% during his first two years in office. [ 8][ 15] A holiday for elections sidesteps the issue of a weekend election, which could conflict with religious obligations. Prior to 2008, Californians who wanted to opt out of choosing a party had to search for the option at the bottom of a list labeled, Political party fill in one oval. That years revision resulted in a form that allowed a mark to placed next to a new statement reading, I dont want to register with a political party.. Does anyone have any studies or other sources which may demonstrate any positive effects for registered independent voters (such as encouraging more centralist tendencies), and, if so, does the research show whether this tendency is affected by whether the independent is in a swing state? The tendency of my state's voting doesn't really have anything to do with my independent views? Ideally, the voting method should consistently elect a candidate who makes the average voter feel satisfied with the outcomenot one who leads to further political polarization. "Estimated Taxes. Its an issue thats been lingering for years, said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries. Hea, PSU rearms campus police officers Are Democratic voters more firm in their voting preferences? On my opinion, I think it is faster than the other form of election as a general voter have that candidates on the ballot from democrats, republican or independent column. It is too late for 2016. Some voting methods require new software that election administrators dont have. Again anecdotally, the independent vote in Florida tends to either lean Libertarian, or strongly leftist-progressive. Fewer than half of independents (37%) are ages 50 and older; among those who identify as Democrats, 48% are 50 and older, as are a majority (54%) of those who identify as Republicans. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). With the 2020 election, we have begun to see more than two parties. Obamas average rating was 50% during his first year (2009); it fell to 42% in his second year. There is no stigma to being independent. It's a matter of fact that Maryland has voted democratic for presidential elections for as long as I have been alive, I think it's pretty safe to assume that will continue in the near future. (For more on partisan identification over time, see the 2018 report Wide Gender Gap, Growing Educational Divide in Voters Party Identification.). Are there advantages to my being registered as an independent in the US? If, for example, a majority of the voting population are registered to a candidate's party, they'll more likely consider your vote as "in the bag" without working hard to earn it. Let's face it, no one could possibly agree with every aspect of either party at every turn. It's very empowering to have the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wherewithal to look after yourself. When voters in 2016 were surveyed on why they supported their specific candidate, Clinton or Trump, most responded with the same answer: I dont like either, but Im voting for the lesser evil.. Democratic leaners (48%) and Republican leaners (54%) were considerably more likely to say they voted, though both groups reported lower rates of voting than partisans. The concept of a bipartisan system is flawed. That might help voters see the distinction missed by some in earlier versions between being an independent voter and selecting the American Independent Party a conservative political group founded in 1968 to boost the presidential campaign of former Alabama Gov. Part three of a multi-part series on voting methods. "It seems primaries are won by being the one that your hard-core party types like the best" - you seem to be watching different primaries from me? By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Californians have until May 21 to register for the June 5 statewide primary. Independents often are portrayed as political free agents with the potential to alleviate the nations rigid partisan divisions. Among the public overall, 38% describe themselves as independents, while 31% are Democrats and 26% call themselves Republicans, according to Pew Research Center surveys conducted in 2018. In views of racial equality and womens progress, the views of partisan leaners are comparable to those of partisans. During his first two years in office, Trumps job rating among members of his own party was relatively high compared with recent presidents. rev2023.4.21.43403. somehow the 'vote as often as legal' comment amuses me. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. But those who leaned toward the parties were much less likely to say this. In most elections for local, state and national elections the voters must select from only two choices. ", Internal Revenue Service. Among Democratic-leaning independents, slightly more identify as moderates (45%) than as liberals (39%), while 14% are conservatives. because of the party they belong to. Large majorities of Democrats and Democratic leaners say the U.S. needs to make more changes to give blacks equal rights and that significant obstacles stand in the way of women. Padilla said lawmakers also would be the only ones who could weigh in on whether a party should be able to use the word independent in its name the word elections officials say voters frequently latch onto in a quick scan of the registration form. And the small share of Americans who are truly independent less than 10% of the public has no partisan leaning stand out for their low level of interest in politics. How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! You dont have to receive junk mail. Can someone please explain these numbers and how the Republican won the CA US 21st congressional district in 2016? Majorities of Republican and Democratic leaners have a favorable opinion of their own party, and they are almost as likely as Republican and Democratic identifiers to have an unfavorable opinion of the opposing party. Most people have considered striking out on their own at some point in their career. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. Well, that depends on who you ask and what criteria theyre using. Join us as we discuss 3 pros and cons to being an independent person. Statistically, it doesnt even make sense. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The benefits of being a registered independent. While hospital or agency administrators might assign their case managers a list of patients to work with, independent case managers can choose their own client list based on their areas of specialty and . A California law says yes, Abcarian: By helping Kamala Harris, Biden can help himself to a second term. Independents who do not lean to a party are most likely to have an unfavorable opinion of both parties (37%). Feinstein has vowed to return to Washington, but what happens if she doesnt? For example, Republican-leaning independents are less supportive of Donald Trump than are Republican identifiers. As with the border wall, Democratic-leaning independents are more likely to view increased tariffs negatively (75% say they will be bad for the U.S.) than Republican-leaning independents are to view them positively (66% say they will be good). However I live in Maryland, which has closed primaries for both parties and the state will always vote Democrat for presidential elections; which leaves me feeling that being an independent removes my voice. Setting up your own business as an independent contractor requires an investment of time and energy, but the risk can pay off handsomely. When the holidays roll around and your relatives ask who you voted for, you can smugly say I voted green, or something along those lines, and watch their jaws hit the floor. But there are sharper differences in the views of Republicans and GOP leaners. There exists an element in a group whose order is at most the number of conjugacy classes, Understanding the probability of measurement w.r.t. About a quarter of both Republican leaners (24%) and Democratic leaners (27%) view both parties unfavorably, as do 37% of those with no partisan leaning. Politics is more than just beating the other candidate. Every project and stakeholder offers unique experiences. Why Being a Contractor Can Be Better Than Being an Employee, Difference Between Independent Contractor and Employee, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes. Being an independent contractor comes with a variety of benefits, including flexibility, autonomy and tax deductions for business expenses.

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