CNN Poll: 47% of Americans Now Identify as Independents

A new CNN poll from May 2026 delivers a clear message about the state of American politics heading into the midterms: a growing number of people are rejecting both major parties.

According to the survey, 47% of Americans now consider themselves political independents. That's the highest level CNN polling has recorded in more than 10 years. Democrats sit at 27% and Republicans at 26%.

What the Numbers Show Among Registered Voters

The shift stands out even more clearly when looking at people actually registered to vote:

• Democrats: 31%
• Republicans: 28%
• Independents: 41%

This marks a noticeable change from 2024, when Republicans had a slight edge among registered voters (34% Republican vs. 31% Democrat, with 35% independent). The GOP has lost ground, especially among younger voters, men, and White voters without college degrees.

Many independents still lean toward one party or the other. When leaners are included, the split is roughly 39% Democratic-leaning and 37% Republican-leaning, with 25% not leaning either way. Even when forced to pick a side, the country remains deeply divided.

Who Are These Independents?

Independents aren't a monolithic group sitting neatly in the political middle. Here's what stands out from the poll:

• Younger: 63% are under 50, compared to older averages for both Democrats and Republicans.
• More urban: They’re more likely to live in cities than Republicans but less so than Democrats.
• Lower incomes: Nearly half report household income below $50,000.
• Less engaged: Only 67% are registered to vote (vs. over 80% for partisans), and just 25% say they frequently follow political news.

In short, many are tuned out or frustrated rather than actively moderate.

Why This Matters for 2026 Midterms

This rise in independents — up about 10 points since right after Trump’s first term — reflects broad disillusionment with both parties. Neither side has held a strong advantage in identification since 2021.

For Republicans, the drop among key demographics (younger voters and men in particular) is a warning sign. For Democrats, holding onto or winning over these independents could be decisive. But with many checked out of politics, turnout and messaging will matter enormously.

My Take

Earlier this year, I declared myself an independent. Over the years I’ve flirted pretty heavily with the Republican Party. I still consider myself conservative, or at least right-of-center.

That said, I’ve grown disillusioned with the extreme partisanship and constant division in politics today.

While I’ve leaned Republican at times, I’m not sure I’d fully fit in there — and I know for certain my views wouldn’t align with the Democrats either.

At the end of the day, I believe it’s smarter to vote for the individual candidate, not the party label. Take the time to research the issues and what each person actually stands for. There are nuances on both sides — and sometimes those “nuances” look more like major deviations.

Hat tip Newsalert