The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Just as an FYI, I live in Florida and we also have closed elections. However, there are some potential drawbacks about being self-employed to consider too. Could a subterranean river or aquifer generate enough continuous momentum to power a waterwheel for the purpose of producing electricity? 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. Nearly 40 percent of voters in the United States identify as independent, yet there are only four independents serving in Congress. Consider David Davenport's con argument, including that other laws (governing activities such as driving, drinking, and smoking) have increased ages instead of lowering them based on the immaturity of teenagers. Its an issue thats been lingering for years, said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. In their political attitudes and views of most issues, independents who lean toward a party are in general agreement with those who affiliate with the same party. That might help voters see the distinction missed by some in earlier versions between being an independent voter and selecting the American Independent Party a conservative political group founded in 1968 to boost the presidential campaign of former Alabama Gov. They are giving up voting on who gets to represent each party at all. Other primary election types include: 1) open primaries, in which a voter either does not have to formally affiliate with a political party in order to vote in its primary or can declare his or her . Nearly nine-in-ten Democratic leaners say immigrants strengthen the country because of their hard work and talents, compared with a somewhat narrower majority of Democrats (80%). "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." How do I stop the Flickering on Mode 13h? Through our local organization, Independent Voters for Arizona, thousands of letters are being directed to state and party leaders, seeking equal voting rights as independents in primary elections! Public support for legalizing marijuana use has followed a similar upward trajectory in recent years. However, all are better than our current voting method, which is why organizations around the country are working hard to see these methods adopted. 1 Nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults (38%) identify as politically independent, but most "lean" toward one of the two major parties. "Fact Sheet 13: Employment Relationship Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Among independents, men make up a sizable share (64%) of Republican leaners and a smaller majority (55%) of independents who do not lean. You dont have to receive junk mail. All rights reserved (About Us). By comparison, only about one-in-ten partisans view both parties negatively. The voter may abstain from voting if the two choices are not to the voters liking. In early 2018, similar shares of Republicans (77%) and Democrats (74%) said the quality of candidates running for Congress in their district in the last several elections had been good. The concept that not voting is a vote for the other candidate is largely untrue. Many of Sanders supporters felt his chances at the presidency had been smeared and interfered with by liberal media. Israel and South Korea make national elections a holiday to avoid economic hardship for voters. Also, you might need to pay for your own tools and equipment as well as establish a federal and state tax ID number. Perhaps more important, intense dislike of the opposing party, which has surged over the past two decades among partisans, has followed a similar trajectory among independents who lean toward the Republican and Democratic parties. (For more on partisan identification over time, see the 2018 report Wide Gender Gap, Growing Educational Divide in Voters Party Identification.). Independents who lean toward a party are usually on the same side as those who identify with the same party, but the level of agreement between leaners and partisans varies depending on the issue. Let's face it, no one could possibly agree with every aspect of either party at every turn. Californians have until May 21 to register for the June 5 statewide primary. Do you consider yourself independent person? When many people expressed distaste toward voting for Biden over Trump, choosing instead to withhold their vote or vote third party, they were met with a barrage of Democratic supporters repeating the same phrase: V. When voters in 2016 were surveyed on why they supported their specific candidate, Clinton or Trump, : I dont like either, but Im voting for the lesser evil., There is something inherently problematic about voting for a candidate that doesnt back policies you support, expresses behavior that you find inappropriate or undesirable and may not even support your existence solely. When voters in 2016 were surveyed on why they supported their specific candidate, Clinton or Trump, most responded with the same answer: I dont like either, but Im voting for the lesser evil.. 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). 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. This is part of an overall process to modernize the elections process, Logan said. Among those who identified as Republicans, just 40% favored same-sex marriage, while 54% were opposed. But there are dozens of voting methods out there. In general elections, what percent of registered party voters defect, on average? Since 2000, there have been sizable increases in the shares of both Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who identify as conservative. It allows you to take on challenges you'd otherwise pass by. The concept that not voting is a vote for the other candidate is largely untrue. Only 7% of Americans overall dont express a partisan leaning, while 13% lean toward the Republican Party and 17% lean toward the Democratic Party. There exists an element in a group whose order is at most the number of conjugacy classes, Understanding the probability of measurement w.r.t. 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%). In addition, Trumps rating has been more stable than prior presidents. Being an independent contractor has its rewards, and whether it's worth it for you depends on the pros and cons. However, being an independent contractor can come with more responsibility. Another con of being registered as an Independent is that people feel they have less of if no voice. Among GOP leaners, 44% say immigrants strengthen the country because of their hard work and talents; 40% say they are a burden on the country because they take jobs, housing and health care. The result is voter turnout rates of 72.3% and 77.2% respectively, which is 26-32% higher than the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for insurance agents was over $52,000 in 2020. How well do you collaborate with others? Republican-leaning independents largely prefer a smaller government providing fewer services; 78% favor smaller government, compared with just 17% who favor bigger government with more services. 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%). Republican-leaning independents favor expanding the border wall, though by a smaller margin than Republicans identifiers. As you can see, each alternative voting method has its strengths and weaknesses, and none is perfect. somehow the 'vote as often as legal' comment amuses me. After Sanders suspension, online forums and social media exploded with political disagreement. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. I could hardly be an independent if I vote for one party always; I thought that context was pretty explicit, the question doesn't really make sense without the presumption that my vote won't effect presidential elections after all. If you really want to be more independent, and have the opportunity for a lot of . 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. While Alabama is now staunchly Republican, it was once staunchly Democrat under Franklin Roosevelt's 12 year presidency. Trumps rating also was low among independents who have no partisan leanings. Nearly 40 percent of voters in the United States identify as independent, yet there are only four independents serving in Congress. This pattern holds for other offices as well: In views of candidates for president and local elections, independent leaners are consistently less likely than partisans to rate the quality of these candidates positively. Theres a reason why more and more people have shifted over to being registered as an independent voter in the wake of the last several elections. But the gap has narrowed since 2000, when moderates outnumbered liberals, 50% to 30%. The postage-paid voter registration card was last revised in 2008. Independents who do not lean to a party are most likely to have an unfavorable opinion of both parties (37%). Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. But, it can be costly for cities with older voting machines to implement and can lead to unexpected results in tight races. Democratic-leaning independents overwhelmingly oppose the border wall (95% disapprove), as do Democratic identifiers (92%). Robinson also rejected the idea that confusion is a key reason that his party now represents more than a half-million Californians almost quadruple the next closest group in size, the states Libertarian Party. The differences were comparable between GOP leaners (54% said they voted) and Republicans (61%). Independently decide if you really want to continue with Governor Bentley and have your children be last in education among the states. Pros of Being an Independent Caregiver. You won't get hit by lightning. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. These shares have changed little in recent years. ", U.S. Department of Labor. Bernie Sanders was a Democrat in name only. Independents views on the 2017 tax bill are more divided: 34% approve of the tax law and 43% disapprove. Regardless of the label, all are essentially the same in practice, including a self-employed designation when it comes to U.S. tax purposes. An overwhelming majority of independents (81%) continue to lean toward either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. It's a matter of fact that Maryland has voted democratic for presidential elections for as long as I have been alive, I think it's pretty safe to assume that will continue in the near future. 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. It also hasnt been implemented in an election yet, so some questions about implementation remain. But it has some advantages too. But there are sharper differences in the views of Republicans and GOP leaners. Here are 6 pros and cons of being independent. Another 22% have favorable opinions of both parties. Republican-leaning independents largely prefer a smaller government providing fewer services; 78% favor smaller government, compared with just 17% who favor bigger government with more services. You can still be and call yourself an independent. 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. And greater diversity of candidates running means more choice for voters. Hea, PSU rearms campus police officers People often ask me what makes a good winner in an election, and theyre surprised when I share that it has nothing to do with the candidate and their platform. Independents views of same-sex-marriage were similar to Democrats: 73% of Democrats favored gay marriage, as did 70% of independents. Internal Revenue Service. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Yet the reality is that most independents are not all that independent politically. What were the most popular text editors for MS-DOS in the 1980s? I've also been engaged in Democratic party politics and legislative work for the last decade. And a large majority of Democratic-leaning independents (75%) also favors marijuana legalization. Feinstein has vowed to return to Washington, but what happens if she doesnt? 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! Why should they have to vote for anyone? For the past three years, the number of voters registering or re-registering as independent has. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. The views of GOP leaners are nearly identical to the opinions of those who affiliate with the GOP (74% prefer smaller government). It seems primaries are won by being the one that your hard-core party types like the best, which is not always the same as being the one that stands the best chance of actually becoming president. STAR (Score Then Automatic Runoff) Voting. [ 8][ 15] A holiday for elections sidesteps the issue of a weekend election, which could conflict with religious obligations. Is there a generic term for these trajectories? 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. 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. Possibly due to lack of enthusiasm in the political process. By comparison, 44% of Republican leaners and 33% of Republicans say the same. First off, you dont have to be pressured by one party or another to vote a specific way. In that sense I figured that the mere act of being registered as an independent may affect the vote, because the more of us independents out there the more likely candidates would moderate their platform to recognize the needs of that swing-vote demographic and stick to more centralist policies. Advantages of being an independent contractor over being an employee include more control since you're your own boss. You arent an independent voter in California if you checked this box . There is something inherently problematic about voting for a candidate that doesnt back policies you support, expresses behavior that you find inappropriate or undesirable and may not even support your existence solely because of the party they belong to. Right now, independents can certainly run, but they face a low likelihood of winning as theyre labeled spoilers who will make it harder for the similar, mainstream candidate to win a race. 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. Firstly because of the restriction on voting in primaries. Aside from Obama (and maaaaybe GWB if you squint hard enough), that wasn't true since Mondale in 1994. First, a pragmatic argument: an Independent candidate has rejected the advantages of being part of an established infrastructure and support network. You may also be responsible for buying the tools and equipment needed for your profession. "Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee? For those with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit, the rewards will be more than just monetary. In addition, independents differ demographically from partisans. Required fields are marked *. Independent agents tend to make a higher income, but at a higher risk. Ideally, the voting method should consistently elect a candidate who makes the average voter feel satisfied with the outcomenot one who leads to further political polarization. While 36% of all independents favored substantially expanding the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border in a January survey, 75% of Republican-leaning independents but just 5% of Democratic leaners said this. So get out there, ye Independents, and buy those costumes. Pros You are your own boss Greater control over the work you accept You can earn more money Tax benefits from expense deductions Cons 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. That's because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has only two distinctions: an independent contractor or an employee. Public support for same-sex marriage has grown rapidly over the past decade. As with the border wall, Democratic-leaning independents are more likely to view increased tariffs negatively (75% say they will be bad for the U.S.) than Republican-leaning independents are to view them positively (66% say they will be good). The way I see it--even after reading the informative article that Napalm provided--is that the individual has less voting power in an electoral college system. . Still, a survey conducted for The Times in 2016 found 73% of American Independent Party voters believed they were unaffiliated with any party. Political parties are able to draw on resources, financial . When the holidays roll around and your relatives ask who you voted for, you can smugly say I voted green, or something along those lines, and watch their jaws hit the floor. Even if I choose to support a Republican candidate, I have no chance at all of changing the outcome of my states final vote. Its about making change. So come on over to the independent side this November 4. We no longer have left and right, blue and red, Democrats and conservatives, but rather three parties, with progressives and socialists forming their own sphere. Well, that depends on who you ask and what criteria theyre using. If I were registered Republican or Democrat, I could at least vote in the primaries, and in so doing have a say on which candidates are chosen to compete for the presidency, but as an independent I am not allowed to vote in either sides primaries. While hospital or agency administrators might assign their case managers a list of patients to work with, independent case managers can choose their own client list based on their areas of specialty and . Again anecdotally, the independent vote in Florida tends to either lean Libertarian, or strongly leftist-progressive. Zip Recruiters puts the average pay for independent insurance agents at a heartier $97,996. Still, the share of independents who view both parties negatively has declined in recent years. Support for same-sex marriage was higher among Democratic-leaning independents than among Democrats (82% vs. 73%). All answers are welcome, but I'm the sort of person who spends time on Skeptics, so I love sources and statistics if anyone wishes to include them as well :). Become a newsletter subscriber to stay up-to-date on the latest Giving Compass news. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing this? Majorities of both Democrats (69%) and independents (68%) favor legalizing marijuana; Republicans are divided, with 45% supportive of legalization and 51% opposed. Fact Sheet 13: Employment Relationship Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Self-Employment Tax (Social Security and Medicare Taxes). Again anecdotally, the independent vote in Florida tends to either lean Libertarian, or strongly leftist-progressive. 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. 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. That's a dramatic shift from just two decades ago, when only 12 percent of Florida voters were neither Republican nor Democrat. (US House/Senate). So be real, most people haven't been to Comicon and don't even HAVE 13 costumes. But as experts in this field, weve developed a short list of criteria that we find to be critical for any voting method. A closed primary is a type of primary election in which a voter must affiliate formally with a political party in advance of the election date in order to participate in that party's primary. And even if the machines software supports a voting method, it may still require added complexities such as counting every ballot at one central location. You can feel free to vote for a third-party candidate without the guilt of betraying your party. ", Internal Revenue Service. (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries. A combination of issues prompted us to see if there was a better way, Padilla said. I vote out of civic obligation only and am not that offended by not participating; but at the same time if I could better serve my civil obligations by choosing a political party (with a coin flip) I would do so. In a two-party system, it is not surprising that most Americans view their own party favorably while viewing the opposing party unfavorably. And while men account for about half of Republicans (51%) and four-in-ten Democrats (40%), they account for 64% of Republican leaners and 51% of Democratic leaners. While Californias top-two primary has made state and congressional elections open to all voters thus muting the impact of registration mistakes presidential primaries still limit participation based on a voters affiliation. Other advantages may be longer-term or larger scale. John Steven Niznik writes about careers and other job-related topics. We also want the method to be simple to implement. 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. Being independent means you no longer have to explain away the crazies in your party, or explain rampant corruption, or sleazy behavior among party members. @user4012 no the state always votes maryland. The new registration forms are part of a broader series of changes that election officials hope will avoid a repeat of prior problems by the time the California presidential primary is held two years from now. Theres a reason why more and more people have shifted over to being registered as an independent voter in the wake of the last several elections. About a quarter of both Republican leaners (24%) and Democratic leaners (27%) view both parties unfavorably, as do 37% of those with no partisan leaning. Within the GOP coalition, 36% of Republican leaners share this view, versus 27% of Republican identifiers. On taxes, two-thirds of GOP leaners approve of the tax law, while an identical share of Democratic leaners disapprove. And sure, there may be times where we are sent on by ourselves to face some things alone to build our character. Who's to say that politicians won't one day decide that the average voter doesn't know what's best for them and elect a candidate who clearly does not represent the choice of the people? Today, a majority of GOP leaners view the Republican Party favorably (55%), while just 24% view both parties unfavorably. In an interview, Padilla said additional clarity would have to come from the California Legislature. There is no stigma to being independent. The party joined Republicans in nominating Donald Trump in 2016. Instant Runoff Voting (IRV)/Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Men constitute a majority (56%) of independents. Your email address will not be published. Learn more about us. Like other professions, being an independent consultant is one great roller coaster ride, with its many highs, lows, twists and turns. Why should they have to vote for anyone? Among other things, it illustrated that independents have lower levels of political participation and are demographically different from those who affiliate with a party and that their views are often as divided as those of self-identified partisans. These numbers have changed little since 2000. Currently, 62% of the public says the use of marijuana should be made legal, while 34% say it should be illegal. When youre starting, apply to agencies that can connect you with contract work. It gives me an image of independents sneaking in to voting booths with a bunch of different silly costumes to vote 10 times an election :), Didn't you know? He didnt represent the ideologies and policies of the Democratic party, but rather pushed an agenda that aligned with the Green Partys socialist and lower-class-first initiative. Here we offer some initial thoughts on the pros and cons of standing as, or voting for, an Independent candidate. For example, while 34% of independents as a whole said they approved of the way Donald Trump was handling his job as president in a March Pew Research Center survey, the gap between independents who lean to the GOP and those who lean to the Democratic Party (73% vs. 9%) was nearly as wide as the gap between Republicans and Democrats (85% vs. 8%). It's OKif you are registered R or D so you can vote in that primary. Being an independent contractor comes with a variety of benefits, including flexibility, autonomy and tax deductions for business expenses. I know this is a red state and most red Republicans would rather be caught with their pants down than labeled the D word. When you're a child, that's what you start out literally doing - trying to get your footing.
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