The Independent Voter

by Thom Reilly, Jacqueline S. Salit, Omar H. Ali

Independent voters―the 40–50 percent of Americans who reject identification with either of the two major parties or with any party―are increasing in number and impact. Independents are determining the outcome of major elections, upending the long-held categories of political science. Drawing on historical and contemporary data (including survey data, participant observation, interviews, and current writings and scholarship) and providing timely new analysis, the authors argue that independents are an engine for a transformation of US democracy, perhaps even its saviors. Rather than “leaning” to a party or an ideology, independents vary on issues but share a deep distrust of the partisan system. What are the consequences of this distrust? What about shifting trends among Black, Latino, and Asian communities regarding party loyalty? What of young voters who eschew party identification wanting a different kind of political culture? For a wide variety of audiences, this book gives students, scholars, campaign professionals, activists, and media analysts an insight into current voting dynamics and future possibilities.

196 pages, Hardcover

Published September 30, 2022

About the author

Dr. Thom Reilly is the director of Morrison Institute for Public Policy and professor in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. He is a former county executive for Clark County, Nevada (the Las Vegas Valley), and a current Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA). He and his work have appeared on NPR’s “Here and Now,” CNN Money, Wall Street Journal Radio, Fox Business News, and in The New York Times, The Guardian, Law 360, Governing, Businessweek and The
Associated Press. He received his master and doctorate in public administration from the University of Southern California (USC) .

Reviews

[Cathy Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive book on independent voters in America. The authors review the history and impact of independent voters, the polling data, and unanswered questions. A must read for everyone. intersted in American politics and the future of our democracy, given that 51% of Americans now consider themselves independent of the two major parties.