pros and cons of being an independent voter

The party joined Republicans in nominating Donald Trump in 2016. I think that it will result in more completed forms coming in, and should reduce the confusion.. As Pew Research Center reported last year, Donald Trumps job approval rating during the early stage of his presidency is more polarized along partisan lines than any president in the past six decades. But what about the large share of Americans who identify as independents? Democratic leaners, like Democrats, overwhelmingly disapprove of the president. BREAKING: Anti-transgender provocateurs to visit P, NEWS: New donations to School of Business support, OPINION: PSU President Stephen Percy is a coward 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%). Pro #1: It usually means you can take of yourself I think it's great that we learn to stand on our own two feet. Are there advantages to my being registered as an independent in the US? Striking out on your own can be both risky and rewarding. Firstly because of the restriction on voting in primaries. About half of Democratic-leaning independents (48%) said they voted, compared with 59% of Democrats. 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. A recent Pew Research Center report took a detailed look at these Americans. By the time the politician is running for president officially he already has been selected for a platform that is likely non-centralist. However, all are better than our current voting method, which is why organizations around the country are working hard to see these methods adopted. (For more on partisan identification over time, see the 2018 report Wide Gender Gap, Growing Educational Divide in Voters Party Identification.). Alexander praised officials for the new registration card because it embraces the plain language movement in election materials. Is it safe to publish research papers in cooperation with Russian academics? Its about making change. The result is voter turnout rates of 72.3% and 77.2% respectively, which is 26-32% higher than the United States. But both tend to have lower voting turnout than the average voter, particularly in Mid-term elections. Required fields are marked *. These numbers have changed little since 2000. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Specifically the 'as legal' part. In June 2017, a majority of adults (62%) favored allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally, while just 32% were opposed. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. 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. Also, you might need to pay for your own tools and equipment as well as establish a federal and state tax ID number. Among those who identified as Republicans, just 40% favored same-sex marriage, while 54% were opposed. The voter may abstain from voting if the two choices are not to the voters liking. Well, that depends on who you ask and what criteria theyre using. Just as an FYI, I live in Florida and we also have closed elections. Independent Contractor vs. Freelancer: Whats the Difference? Sanders had been pegged by many Democratic voters as too socialist, loud and abrasive, along with many other words. Two-thirds of Americans (66%) view one party favorably while expressing an unfavorable opinion of the other party. Explore each state's voter registration age requirements at USA.gov. 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". Both of those options can be good ones, but it generally depends on the specifics the agent is looking for. While that may cut down on contacts from campaigns that are only using government-supplied voter data, larger/more sophisticated campaigns can use. Majorities of both Democrats (69%) and independents (68%) favor legalizing marijuana; Republicans are divided, with 45% supportive of legalization and 51% opposed. 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. Checking Irreducibility to a Polynomial with Non-constant Degree over Integer. But the gap has narrowed since 2000, when moderates outnumbered liberals, 50% to 30%. Public support for legalizing marijuana use has followed a similar upward trajectory in recent years. Today, more Republican-leaning independents describe themselves as conservatives (51%) than as moderates (39%) or liberals (8%). . 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.. Remember, though, that these agencies may withhold taxes and collect other deductions from your paychecks, depending on your working relationship with the firm. Voters from all walks of life including celebrities, business leaders and the spouses of candidates said they incorrectly filled out the forms. Nobodys stopping you. The focus of criticism has been the traditional paper registration document. The forms are widely distributed in state and local government offices and through volunteer voter registration drives. John Steven Niznik writes about careers and other job-related topics. Aside from Obama (and maaaaybe GWB if you squint hard enough), that wasn't true since Mondale in 1994. The Pros and Cons of Being an Independent Insurance Agent The share of Americans who have a positive view of one party and a negative view of the other has increased since 2015 (from 58%). But voters are moving to care more about issues, rather than parties. For Democrats you don't have to choose moderate or liberal. In addition, Trumps rating has been more stable than prior presidents. Public support for same-sex marriage has grown rapidly over the past decade. He also wrote a weekly newsletter on California politics and provided regular news analysis. 2. Read our research on: Congress | Economy | Trust in Media. As you can see, each alternative voting method has its strengths and weaknesses, and none is perfect. You may also be responsible for buying the tools and equipment needed for your profession. First, a pragmatic argument: an Independent candidate has rejected the advantages of being part of an established infrastructure and support network. Trumps job rating among independents for his first two years in office also was lower than his recent predecessors; his average job rating among independents was 34% in both 2017 and 2018. Independents views of same-sex-marriage were similar to Democrats: 73% of Democrats favored gay marriage, as did 70% of independents. Only 7% of Americans overall don't express a partisan leaning, while 13% lean toward the Republican Party and 17% lean toward the Democratic Party. George Wallace, The focus of criticism has been the traditional paper registration document, Californias top-two primary has made state and congressional elections open to all voters, Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon blasted at White House Correspondents dinner. Advantages & Disadvantages of a Third Party - Synonym Read parts one and two. Donate to Giving Compass to help us guide donors toward practices that advance equity. It is too late for 2016. Progressives and independents are told a vote for the third party is a vote for Trump, or any other Republican or majority candidate. And sure, there may be times where we are sent on by ourselves to face some things alone to build our character. Bernie Sanders was a Democrat in name only. Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World, Wide Gender Gap, Growing Educational Divide in Voters Party Identification, As Pew Research Center reported last year, Trump divides partisans and partisan leaners alike, Independents views of U.S.-Mexico border wall, other key issues, Independents views of race, immigrants, gender, Broad support among independents for same-sex marriage, marijuana legalization, More partisans and partisan leaners embrace ideological labels, How independents view the political parties, Growing partisan antipathy among partisans and leaners, As Partisan Hostility Grows, Signs of Frustration With the Two-Party System, The polarization in todays Congress has roots that go back decades, Republicans and Democrats alike say its stressful to talk politics with people who disagree, Both Republicans and Democrats prioritize family, but they differ over other sources of meaning in life, Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology, What the data says about Americans views of climate change, Podcasts as a Source of News and Information, AI in Hiring and Evaluating Workers: What Americans Think, Americans confident in Zelenskyy, but have limited familiarity with some other world leaders, How Public Polling Has Changed in the 21st Century. In a survey conducted last fall, shortly after the midterm elections, partisan leaners were less likely than partisans to say they registered to vote and voted in the congressional elections. 6 facts about U.S. political independents | Pew Research Center Do you consider yourself independent person? First off, you dont have to be pressured by one party or another to vote a specific way. In a survey conducted shortly after the November 2018 midterm election, just a third of those who dont lean toward either party (33%) reported voting. And while clear majorities of both Democrats and Democratic leaners favor same-sex marriage, Democratic-leaning independents are somewhat more likely than Democrats to hold this view (82% vs. 71%). Studied since the 1970s and often cited as one of the best alternative voting methods, approval voting simply asks voters to select all the candidates they approve of and the candidate with the most votes wins. By comparison, only about one-in-ten partisans view both parties negatively. , many on the left rallied against Biden being the Democratic candidate. In addition, far more independents (28%) than Republicans (10%) or Democrats (9%) have an unfavorable opinion of both parties. You won't get hit by lightning. Another 22% have favorable opinions of both parties. 1 Advantage: Increases Choice. This is part of an overall process to modernize the elections process, Logan said. (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main The drawbacks to being an independent contractor include more responsibility. other data sources to make educated guesses about your political leanings, New blog post from our CEO Prashanth: Community is the future of AI, Improving the copy in the close modal and post notices - 2023 edition. Over the past two decades, Republicans and Democrats have come to view the opposing party more negatively. ), 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. Advantages of being an independent contractor over being an employee include more control since you're your own boss. Progressives and independents are told a vote for the third party is a vote for Trump, or any other Republican or majority candidate. Democrats and Democratic leaners are in sync in opinions about whether the nations economic system is generally fair. 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. By comparison, 44% of Republican leaners and 33% of Republicans say the same. 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. Arguments for and against closed primaries - Ballotpedia 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! When you're a child, that's what you start out literally doing - trying to get your footing. I think the new form moves us to a better position, said Dean Logan, registrar of voters in Los Angeles County, who was part of the working group. Trumps job rating among independents, like his overall rating, breaks down along partisan lines. Why did US v. Assange skip the court of appeal? Among the public overall, 17% are Democratic-leaning independents, while 13% lean toward the Republican Party. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. Like Democrats, most Democratic-leaning independents prefer bigger government. For this governor's race, consider being independent of party. Unparalleled Support. The spectrum of political opinions is far too diverse and wide-ranging to be isolated to two groups that essentially represent the same issues, goals and policies. Lowering the Voting Age - Top 3 Pros and Cons - ProCon.org 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. Partisan divides in the United States are as wide as theyve ever been in the modern political era. "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." Which party actually caused the 2016 presidential election swing? You may also be responsible for buying the tools and equipment needed for your profession. Let's face it, no one could possibly agree with every aspect of either party at every turn. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. But it has some advantages too. 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. Here are the basic pros and cons of becoming an independent contractor.#. So, how do alternative voting methods stack up against these criteria? The poll failed with 55% No voters . In general elections, what percent of registered party voters defect, on average? You can still be and call yourself an independent. rev2023.4.21.43403. If you really want to be more independent, and have the opportunity for a lot of . @user4012 um not sure I understand your first comment. 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. 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. ", Internal Revenue Service. They are also the single-most impediment to fixing our problems. In a two-party system, it is not surprising that most Americans view their own party favorably while viewing the opposing party unfavorably. In addition, far more independents say immigrants do more to strengthen (66%) than burden (23%) the country. The benefits of being a registered independent - Vanguard @user4012 no the state always votes maryland. By Kirsten Elliott, Director of Philanthropy, there are dozens of voting methods out there, not one who leads to further political polarization, Nearly 40 percent of voters in the United States identify as independent, there are only four independents serving in Congress, from the complicated process to get registered or just the fact that life can be really busy, Some voting methods require new software that election administrators dont have, after being the first alternative voting method to be implemented at the state level, IRV allows voters to rank the candidates in an election, IRV does a better job of electing voters true favorite candidates, can lead to unexpected results in tight races, often cited as one of the best alternative voting methods, voters cant differentiate between how much they like or dislike candidates. What are the obligations/duties of "a Democrat" vs an independent? Being independent you can think for yourself and not be constrained by party dogma. Sick Of Political Parties, Unaffiliated Voters Are Changing Politics Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. An overwhelming majority of independents (81%) continue to lean toward either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. While 45% of Republicans and 51% of Democrats are under age 50, these shares rise to 55% among Republican-leaning independents and 68% among Democratic leaners. After Sanders suspension, online forums and social media exploded with political disagreement. He described a voters political party as an incidental aspect of registration and said that questions about voter confusion were speculative.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Independents who do not lean to a party widely favored same-sex marriage (65% favor this), while 70% say the use of marijuana should be legal. A California law says yes, Abcarian: By helping Kamala Harris, Biden can help himself to a second term. Three Alternative Voting Methods: Pros and Cons Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World, Voters Rarely Switch Parties, but Recent Shifts Further Educational, Racial Divergence, 6 facts about U.S. political independents, Political Independents: Who They Are, What They Think, Partisan Identification Is Sticky, but About 10% Switched Parties Over the Past Year, 2016 Party Identification Detailed Tables, What the data says about Americans views of climate change, Podcasts as a Source of News and Information, AI in Hiring and Evaluating Workers: What Americans Think, Americans confident in Zelenskyy, but have limited familiarity with some other world leaders, How Public Polling Has Changed in the 21st Century. I think a lot of people are still wrestling with what preference means, said Alexander. Your email address will not be published. and fellow former Democratic presidential candidates. 6 Pros and Cons of Being Independent Still, a survey conducted for The Times in 2016 found 73% of American Independent Party voters believed they were unaffiliated with any party. The Times found a substantial number of Californians who registered with the American Independent Party wrongly believed they werent part of any political party an error that later kept some from casting ballots in the states 2016 presidential primary. Those candidates are the ones that eventually go onto higher office. The Pros and Cons of Being an Independent Consultant But it doesnt have to be this way. 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. How is white allowed to castle 0-0-0 in this position? For people who wanted to say no party, this design is going to help them make that choice, said Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation. 4. Changes are also planned for Californias online registration site registertovote.ca.gov to better highlight whether to pick a party or take a pass. Theres multiple benefits to being registered as an independent. She said its especially important when the documents must later be translated into languages other than English. PRO: Your Income Potential is Unlimited. A newer method, STAR, allows voters to score each candidate on a scale and then the two candidates with the highest scores enter an automatic runoff, with voters ballots cast to whichever candidate they scored highest. When voters changed the rules governing political primaries a ballot measure that emphasized party preference elections officials deleted the reference to party registration. 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 views of GOP leaners are nearly identical to the opinions of those who affiliate with the GOP (74% prefer smaller government). Given current state law, we did everything we could, he said. Political parties are able to draw on resources, financial . Today, a majority of GOP leaners view the Republican Party favorably (55%), while just 24% view both parties unfavorably. Among the 50 states, our children came in last in education. Sure, sounds easy, but changing costumes 13 times in one day to get my 13 votes in is a lot more difficult than it seems! I know this is a red state and most red Republicans would rather be caught with their pants down than labeled the D word. 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). Even if I choose to support a Republican candidate, I have no chance at all of changing the outcome of my states final vote. George Wallace. This is Why It's Important to Become an Independent Those changes include a new law that will allow voters to register and make changes to their partisan affiliation on election day. Setting up your own business as an independent contractor requires an investment of time and energy, but the risk can pay off handsomely. 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. Captive agents have more stability and support, but with stricter limitations. With the 2020 election, we have begun to see more than two parties. Majorities of independents say the U.S. needs to continue to make changes to give blacks equal rights with whites (57%) and that significant obstacles still make it harder for women to get ahead (54%). Israel and South Korea make national elections a holiday to avoid economic hardship for voters. Confusion over 'independent' voters in California prompts redesign of Politics is more than just beating the other candidate. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing this? 12 Pros and Cons of Being an Independent Case Manager It's important when considering independent contract work to understand the pros and cons of working as an independent contractor. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. In a survey last fall, clear majorities of Democrats (69%), Democratic-leaning independents (75%) and Republican-leaning independents (60%) favored marijuana legalization, but Republicans were divided (45% favored, 51% opposed). And now in September 2014 there was a public poll if there should have been a Scottish Independence. The new voter registration cards will be distributed as soon as the end of this week, and officials say the design was completed without spending more money. Again anecdotally, the independent vote in Florida tends to either lean Libertarian, or strongly leftist-progressive. For those who want to remain unaffiliated, the card now gives them a box to check next to a new selection, No Party/None.. In times of uncertainty, good decisions demand good data. The concept that not voting is a vote for the other candidate is largely untrue. Men constitute a majority (56%) of independents. However, this simplicity comes at a cost that frustrates some, as voters cant differentiate between how much they like or dislike candidates. ", National Association for the Self-Employed. Independent contractors are sometimes called ICs, consultants, freelancers, free agents, or contractors.

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pros and cons of being an independent voter

pros and cons of being an independent voter