Do independent voters really exist?

Question

During election time, there's a lot of talk about so-called independent voters. In the United States at least, do they really exist in enough numbers to justify talking about them? Are there any Republicans or Democrats in here who'd seriously consider voting for someone on the other side - and if so, in what circumstances?.

Answer 1

I'm an independent voter. I generally lean toward the democrats, but would absolutely consider the other side. Right now, both sides are getting on my nerves, so I don't know who to vote for. I think voting for someone ONLY because they are a member of your party is just stupid.

Answer 2

The past several elections are a perfect indication that independent voters do exist. When the trend jumps from one political party being in power to another being in power, its the opinion of the "swing voters", also known as independents, that has changed...not the number of those who are truly democrat or republican.

Secondly, if you look closely at local elections or the number of votes that third party candidates get, you will see that same "independence". For instance, directly after the last election, the republican party got angry at those who voted "libertarian" for taking their votes away from the republican party. (Libertarians are politically and fiscally conservative, socially liberal). And of course, one libertarian writer than I like to read said, "And you've done better these past 6 years how?"

I happen to be one of those independents. Where I can, I usually vote libertarian or reform, but I will vote for the best candidate. For instance, in our last election for Attorney General, I voted for the democrat running for the office because I felt the republican (who had been currently in that office) also running was using his office to further his own personal agenda rather than the law. And, as it turned out, most of the rest of the state thought the same, too....so where they had previously voted in a republican attorney general, they now voted in a democrat one.

Answer 3

Yes they do exist and actually are the ones that decide most elections. The split between the registered Democrats and Repuglicans are about equal at about 30% which leaves 40% as independents or swing voters. These people are the ones that can change their mind at the last minute and vote either way and determine the outcome of the election.

Answer 4

Yes we really exist. I look over both candidates policies and decide which one I agree with more. Would I vote for the other side Yep if their policies lined up with mine. Seriously though Both major parties are basically the same. There are no differences besides taxes and the war. Those are even shaky at best.

Answer 5

I am not registered to vote in any party's primary elections and in general elections I have voted for at least four different partys so I feel I am an independant voter they talk so much about. I don't think I am extrordinary, many people I know do the same.

Answer 6

I am independent, and do truly vote for the candidate, lately I vote mostly republican, because the democratic party has let me down, when I turned 18 I registered as a democrat, then I had Jimmie Carter, so I voted for Reagan, then I voted for Clinton on his first term and what a mistake that was, I then registered as an independent, because I do not associate with either party, however i am a traditionalist with conservative values. So if a democrat wants my vote they must be conservative.

Answer 7

WASHINGTON, April 11 — 5 years after the Bush administration began a crackdown on voter fraud, the Justice branch has grew to change into up merely about no options of any prepared attempt to skew federal elections, in accordance to court docket docket options even if Republican activists have repeatedly reported fraud is so huge-spread that it has corrupted the political technique and, likely, value the party election victories, about 100 twenty human beings were charged and 86 convicted as of merely precise 365 days. optimal of those charged were Democrats, balloting options practice. a great number of those charged with assistance from way of the Justice branch look to have mistakenly crammed out registration varieties or misunderstood eligibility guidelines, a evaluation of court docket docket options and interviews with prosecutors and threat-free practices legal professionals practice.

Answer 8

Y E S!! I would vote on the other side if the two candidates for the Democrats and Republicans
did not have any answers to this country's
problems and were flaky.

Answer 9

They exist. I am one. I have voted both ways and still do. I do not vote for a candidate because of party affiliation. That is not good enough for me. I vote based on who I think will do the best job for that office.

Answer 10

You bet there are, I call them squishies.

Frankly independent voters do not bother me.

It is the blind ones that do, but even more so the ones who are clueless on the issues and vote by race/gender/and or slick advertising.