The only ones at risk of being "spoiled" by independent voters are the two parties.
For too long, independent candidates have been dismissed as “spoilers”—a term that suggests they’re distractions, nuisances, or even threats to democracy. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, independent voters and candidates are the accountability engines of American politics. They are not spoilers of elections—they are spoilers of complacency and the status quo.
At the Independent Center, we’re launching a new campaign to reclaim the word “spoiler.” Because if anyone’s spoiling anything, it’s independent voters spoiling the two-party system’s monopoly on power—and that’s something to celebrate.
The Spoiler Myth: A Convenient Excuse for a Broken System
The idea that independent candidates “steal” votes from major parties is a myth rooted in fear—not fact. It assumes that votes belong to parties, not people. But independent voters are not party property. They are thoughtful, pragmatic citizens who vote based on values, not tribal loyalty.
More than 51% of Americans now identify as independent—more than either Democrats or Republicans. These voters aren’t undecided or uninformed. They’re fed up with partisan gridlock and hungry for real solutions. They’re not spoilers—they’re the future.
Independent Voters Are the New Majority
In the 2024 election, independent voters outnumbered Democrats and nearly matched Republicans. They split their tickets, voted strategically, and proved that independents are the most dynamic and decisive force in American politics.
This shift is being led by Millennials and Gen Z—generations that are rejecting the old partisan playbook in favor of optimism, innovation, and a modernized American Dream. They want leaders who solve problems, not score points. And they’re finding those leaders outside the two-party system.
Accountability Through Competition
In any healthy system, competition drives improvement. Politics should be no different. Independent candidates force major parties to compete for every vote, to address neglected issues, and to engage with communities that have long been ignored.
From rural voters to young professionals, from immigrants to veterans, independent candidates give voice to Americans who don’t see themselves reflected in either party. They elevate issues like criminal justice reform, climate resilience, and government ethics—topics that often get sidelined in partisan debates.
Reform, Not Suppression
If we really want to eliminate the so-called spoiler effect, the answer isn’t to silence independent voices—it’s to reform the system. Ranked-choice voting is one powerful solution. It allows voters to rank candidates by preference, ensuring majority support without punishing third-party participation.
According to our research, 56% of Americans want more political options, and nearly half support electoral reforms that make that possible. The demand for change is clear—and growing.
A New Kind of Leadership
Independent candidates aren’t bound by party platforms or beholden to special interests. They can speak directly to the people, build coalitions across ideological lines, and propose bold, bipartisan solutions. They represent a new kind of leadership—one rooted in principle, pragmatism, and public service.
At the Independent Center, we believe this is the leadership our democracy needs. And we believe independent voters are the key to unlocking it.
Join the Movement
This is just the beginning of our Spoiler Campaign—an effort to reframe the narrative around independent voters and candidates. We’re here to say: spoiling the status quo is a good thing. It’s how progress happens. It’s how democracy evolves.
So let’s stop treating independents as threats—and start recognizing them as the optimistic, forward-thinking leaders of a modernized American Dream.
Are you an independent voter? A reform-minded citizen? A believer in better politics? Then you’re not a spoiler. You’re the spark.
