If you feel like the odd one out because you don't worship at the altar of the DNC or the RNC, we have good news: you are actually the majority.
Independent Center Voice’s latest polling on "Ballot Support and Favorabilities" exposes a massive gap between the politicians currently in power and the type of leaders Americans actually want.
The two-party system loves to tell us that we must pick a side. But the data tells a different story. The most popular politician in America right now isn't a Democrat or a Republican—it’s a hypothetical one.
The Favorability Gap
We asked voters to rate their favorability of various political entities. The results were stark.
· The Republican Party: Only 31% favorable.
· The Democratic Party: Only 35% favorable.
· Donald Trump: 33% favorable.
Now, compare that to the alternatives:
· A politician willing to work with both sides: 63% favorable.
· A politically Independent candidate: 37% favorable.
The message is crystal clear. We like the idea of cooperation and independence more than we like the reality of the current parties. As Ian from Washington told us, the current system is a "joke" … leaving us with no real choice.
The Independent Surge
This isn't just about feelings; it's about voting behavior. We presented a scenario: Imagine a future congressional election where a strong, well-funded independent candidate emerges who is not affiliated with either party.
The result? 76% of voters said they would be "likely" to vote for such a candidate. That is a landslide waiting to happen.
Why? The top reason, cited by 27% of voters, is the "People over Party" argument—the belief that an Independent is beholden only to their constituents, not a national party agenda. Another 27% chose the "Problem Solver" argument—that independents are free to look at problems from many angles.
Voices from the Ground
Our focus group participants brought these statistics to life. They are tired of the gridlock.
· Curtis from California noted, "I believe the two-party system kinda puts us in a gridlock".
· Heather agreed, stating, "I think the two-party system absolutely forces us into a gridlock".
· Michelle added, "I think it's created the problems that we face, and it is a broken system".
There is a craving for authenticity. Voters want candidates who aren't reading from a script. As Curtis told us, he wants to tell that a candidate isn't "just reading some scripted thing" but giving their own speeches.
The "Lesser of Two Evils" Trap
For too long, we've voted against what we fear rather than for what we believe. Broden from Harrisburg summed it up perfectly: "It just forces you to pick the lesser of two evils. And I just wanna pick someone that's more in line with my needs".
The data shows we are ready to break that trap. We are favorable toward non-partisan candidates (26%) and elected officials who aren't members of either party (30%). The appetite is there. The voters are there. The only thing missing is the candidates bold enough to run.
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