pros and cons of being an independent voter pros and cons of being an independent voter

It also hasnt been implemented in an election yet, so some questions about implementation remain. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? 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. , many on the left rallied against Biden being the Democratic candidate. She said its especially important when the documents must later be translated into languages other than English. Other advantages may be longer-term or larger scale. The card millions of Californians use to register to vote is receiving its first makeover in more than a decade, inspired in part by confusion over how to become an independent unaffiliated voter a problem highlighted by a Los Angeles Times investigation in 2016. Just as an FYI, I live in Florida and we also have closed elections. 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! Are there advantages to my being registered as an independent in the US? TAKE OU, OP: Why wont PSU accept food stamps? To help you network, gain expertise, and receive discounts on insurance and other self-employment expenses, consider joining professional organizations such as the National Association for the Self-Employed. Is there a generic term for these trajectories? Learn more about us. For the past three years, the number of voters registering or re-registering as independent has. In times of uncertainty, good decisions demand good data. Given current state law, we did everything we could, he said. Why should they have to vote for anyone? But it doesnt have to be this way. Here are 6 pros and cons of being independent. In addition, independents differ demographically from partisans. On my opinion, I think it is faster than the other form of election as a general voter have that candidates on the ballot from democrats, republican or independent column. But that was the first time it was really in the spotlight.. Democratic leaners (48%) and Republican leaners (54%) were considerably more likely to say they voted, though both groups reported lower rates of voting than partisans. Striking out on your own can be both risky and rewarding. 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. 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. They are less politically engaged than Republicans or Democrats and this is especially the case among independents who do not lean to a party. Being totally independent of party you can vote for anyone you want to without feeling like you committed adultery. In my mind, I will always be fiercely independent, as my loyalty is to the principles, never to a party. By a wide margin (62% to 36%), independents oppose Trumps signature policy proposal, an expansion of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. Among those who identified as Republicans, just 40% favored same-sex marriage, while 54% were opposed. A 63% majority of those who identify as Republicans say the U.S. economic system is fair to most Americans; fewer than half as many (29%) say the system unfairly favors powerful interests. You may also be responsible for buying the tools and equipment needed for your profession. Every project and stakeholder offers unique experiences. Still, a survey conducted for The Times in 2016 found 73% of American Independent Party voters believed they were unaffiliated with any party. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Only 7% of Americans overall dont express a partisan leaning, while 13% lean toward the Republican Party and 17% lean toward the Democratic Party. BREAKING: Anti-transgender provocateurs to visit P, NEWS: New donations to School of Business support, OPINION: PSU President Stephen Percy is a coward Currently, 87% of those who identify with the Republican Party view the Democratic Party unfavorably; Republican-leaning independents are almost as likely to view the Democratic Party negatively (81% unfavorable). That's because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has only two distinctions: an independent contractor or an employee. Checking Irreducibility to a Polynomial with Non-constant Degree over Integer. Is voting worth trading your moral or ethical stance for? Independent voters are outgrowing Democratic and Republican voters 2:1 in the last 2 presidential cycles. Voters from all walks of life including celebrities, business leaders and the spouses of candidates said they incorrectly filled out the forms. 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. They are also the single-most impediment to fixing our problems. Its an issue thats been lingering for years, said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. ), 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. Still, the share of independents who view both parties negatively has declined in recent years. Independents views on the 2017 tax bill are more divided: 34% approve of the tax law and 43% disapprove. You dont have to receive junk mail. Independent agents tend to make a higher income, but at a higher risk. Part three of a multi-part series on voting methods. 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. "Estimated Taxes. When you're a child, that's what you start out literally doing - trying to get your footing. Must buy their own health insurance and benefits, May need a federal and state tax ID number. 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! Donate to Giving Compass to help us guide donors toward practices that advance equity. I had thought at one time that independents represented the swing vote either side needed to win, and as the 'king maker' in elections we would thus be the ones that had to be courted and listen to by politicians. Theres multiple benefits to being registered as an independent. Yet the reality is that most independents are not all that independent politically. When voters changed the rules governing political primaries a ballot measure that emphasized party preference elections officials deleted the reference to party registration. 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. and fellow former Democratic presidential candidates. So get out there, ye Independents, and buy those costumes. 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. 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. With the 2020 election, we have begun to see more than two parties. 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. What were the most popular text editors for MS-DOS in the 1980s? A combination of issues prompted us to see if there was a better way, Padilla said. Independents are now the largest voting group in the state, and that trend is only growing. But you can also vote for nobody, because, again, nobodys stopping you. 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. 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. 1615 L St. NW, Suite 800Washington, DC 20036USA Advantages of being an independent contractor over being an employee include more control since you're your own boss. Because people wont vote for the third party. Sign up for The Balances newsletter for daily insights, analysis, and financial tips, all delivered straight to your inbox every morning! Massive voter fraud stems from the independents ;), There's the old Chicago saying, "Vote Early, Vote Often.". Politics is more than just beating the other candidate. Public support for same-sex marriage has grown rapidly over the past decade. Most independents who do not lean toward a party share this view (70%). John Myers led the Los Angeles Times coverage of state government as Sacramento bureau chief from 2015 to June 2022. Scottish Independence Scottland has been a part of the UK since 1707 after James VII was deposed in 1688 England feared that Scottland would go its own way which led to a formal union of the two kingdoms. We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. You can vote for whoever you want to. A 501(c)(3) organization. But, it can be costly for cities with older voting machines to implement and can lead to unexpected results in tight races. While that may cut down on contacts from campaigns that are only using government-supplied voter data, larger/more sophisticated campaigns can use. 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. In this article, we define what an independent contractor is and list examples, as well as explore the pros and cons of this type of work. But those who leaned toward the parties were much less likely to say this. Again anecdotally, the independent vote in Florida tends to either lean Libertarian, or strongly leftist-progressive. On D side, we have Clinton (and not Jessie Jackson) and Gore (and not Dean). I sort of would rather stay independent, both because it's more honest and because I kind of prefer not to have the moral obligation of participating in primaries, since I generally hate all politics and view political debates as an exercise in saying nothing as prettily as possible. Hea, PSU rearms campus police officers 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.. 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. Column: Does racism make you too stupid to be a cop? You won't get hit by lightning. By comparison, only about one-in-ten partisans view both parties negatively. sexual assault allegations against Biden by former aide Tara Reade. 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. R primaries selected Romney, McCain, and Reagan, not Cain, Keyes/Huckabee or Robertson. Schmidt, Steffen. Another 22% have favorable opinions of both parties. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for insurance agents was over $52,000 in 2020. 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. Firstly because of the restriction on voting in primaries. Independents also are younger on average than are partisans. Voting has become a toxic act where people are told, if you dont vote for our candidate, you dont belong to our party. Why should people have to vote for someone they dont believe in and dont support? (For more on partisan identification over time, see the 2018 report Wide Gender Gap, Growing Educational Divide in Voters Party Identification.). 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Democrats and Democratic leaners are in sync in opinions about whether the nations economic system is generally fair. Why does Acts not mention the deaths of Peter and Paul? Support for same-sex marriage was higher among Democratic-leaning independents than among Democrats (82% vs. 73%). Yet independents who lean toward one of the two parties have a strong partisan imprint. It hasnt yet been studied to determine its effectiveness at selecting a good winner, but it appears that it should lead to more competition and better winners. It's OKif you are registered R or D so you can vote in that primary. "Frequently Asked Questions.". 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. Nearly six-in-ten Republican-leaning independents (59%), for example, currently favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally, compared with 37% among Republican identifiers. 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 . 6 pros of being an independent case manager. So I'm wondering if there is an advantage to staying true to my actual political views and staying an independent, as opposed to picking one side at random to register as so I can have some sort of say in presidential elections via voting in the primaries. Trumps early job rating among members of the opposing party (7%) was much lower than those of three prior presidents (Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton). People looked up to Sanders because he advocated change. Like Democrats, most Democratic-leaning independents prefer bigger government. The concept that not voting is a vote for the other candidate is largely untrue. Politics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people interested in governments, policies, and political processes. because of the party they belong to. You might earn more as an independent contractor, and the tax benefits can include deducting your business expenses. 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. I think a lot of people are still wrestling with what preference means, said Alexander. Voting has become a toxic act where people are told, "if you don't vote for our candidate, you don't belong to our party." Why should people have to vote for someone they don't believe in and don't support? . The result is voter turnout rates of 72.3% and 77.2% respectively, which is 26-32% higher than the United States. Why did US v. Assange skip the court of appeal? Statistically, it doesnt even make sense. ", Internal Revenue Service. How is white allowed to castle 0-0-0 in this position? Progressives and independents are told a vote for the third party is a vote for Trump, or any other Republican or majority candidate. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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! 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. . 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. Within the GOP coalition, 36% of Republican leaners share this view, versus 27% of Republican identifiers. 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. I, Dont forget!The Vanguard always has the late, ARTS: Portland literary open mic shines spotlight, How do you feel about the CPSO Rearmament? 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. The voter may abstain from voting if the two choices are not to the voters liking. Here are six advantages to being an independent case manager: 1. Obamas average rating was 50% during his first year (2009); it fell to 42% in his second year. We recommend working with a top FMO like Ritter Insurance Marketing to help you get started on the right path. Internal Revenue Service. Become a newsletter subscriber to stay up-to-date on the latest Giving Compass news. However, all are better than our current voting method, which is why organizations around the country are working hard to see these methods adopted. Feinstein has vowed to return to Washington, but what happens if she doesnt? By the time the politician is running for president officially he already has been selected for a platform that is likely non-centralist. And yes, vote early, vote often. Remember, though, that these agencies may withhold taxes and collect other deductions from your paychecks, depending on your working relationship with the firm. Voting has become a toxic act where people are told, if you dont vote for our candidate, you dont belong to our party. Why should people have to vote for someone they dont believe in and dont support? Fewer than half of independents (37%) are ages 50 and older; among those who identify as Democrats, 48% are 50 and older, as are a majority (54%) of those who identify as Republicans. In general elections, what percent of registered party voters defect, on average? 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. And a large majority of Democratic-leaning independents (75%) also favors marijuana legalization. Many of Sanders supporters felt his chances at the presidency had been smeared and interfered with by liberal media. However, there are some potential drawbacks about being self-employed to consider too. The differences were comparable between GOP leaners (54% said they voted) and Republicans (61%). 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. 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. Statistically, it doesnt even make sense. This is a long-standing dynamic that has been the subject of past analyses, both by Pew Research Center and others. Explore each state's voter registration age requirements at USA.gov. The concept of a bipartisan system is flawed. 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. This positions us to be in a better place in 2020., Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast. But the gap has narrowed since 2000, when moderates outnumbered liberals, 50% to 30%. You may also be responsible for buying the tools and equipment needed for your profession. 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%). Read our research on: Congress | Economy | Trust in Media. In fact, just a third said they voted in the midterms. In contrast to Republicans, Republican-leaning independents favored same-sex marriage (58% were in favor, 37% were opposed). Over the same period, there has been growth in the shares of Democrats and Democratic leaners identifying as liberal. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. I've also been engaged in Democratic party politics and legislative work for the last decade. Trumps early rating among independents is closest to Clintons, whose job approval averaged about 42% during his first two years in office. His job rating among Republicans was about as high (84%) in 2018. Politics is more than just beating the other candidate. 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. Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee? 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: Vote blue no matter who. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Possessing a few fix-it and maintenance skills is liberating and cost-effective. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? I spend a lot of time talking to people across the country about our work at The Center for Election Science to strengthen democracy. Students a, The latest edition of the PSU Vanguard is out! Even if I choose to support a Republican candidate, I have no chance at all of changing the outcome of my states final vote. However, this simplicity comes at a cost that frustrates some, as voters cant differentiate between how much they like or dislike candidates. Unparalleled Support. There are similar patterns in many political areas. (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax 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. [ 8][ 15] A holiday for elections sidesteps the issue of a weekend election, which could conflict with religious obligations. Thus the only way to win the primaries is to be the most Democratic or Republican you can be; not to moderate your platform. And sure, there may be times where we are sent on by ourselves to face some things alone to build our character. For that reason, the voting method should remain as simple as possible so it isnt an additional reason voters dont turn out to the polls. Independents also have a negative view of increased tariffs between the U.S. and its trading partners (53% say they will be bad for the U.S., 36% good for the U.S.). IRV does a better job of electing voters true favorite candidates than our current method and encourages more competition. Also, you might need to pay for your own tools and equipment as well as establish a federal and state tax ID number. I know this is a red state and most red Republicans would rather be caught with their pants down than labeled the D word. IRV allows voters to rank the candidates in an election in order of preference, and the candidate with the majority of first-choice votes wins. But as experts in this field, weve developed a short list of criteria that we find to be critical for any voting method. 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. 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.. It's too late to change that platform, even if the politician were willing to do so, and thus there is limited options to address the independent's needs, at least without reneging on your platform and promises. Zip Recruiters puts the average pay for independent insurance agents at a heartier $97,996. With the 2020 election, we have begun to see more than two parties. You no longer have to be labeled. Could a subterranean river or aquifer generate enough continuous momentum to power a waterwheel for the purpose of producing electricity? In North Carolina, for example, a voter registered as an independent can choose which primary they wish to vote in. Unfortunately, this isnt an exhaustive academic paper on voting methods, so well focus on just a few of the alternative voting methods with the most momentum right now. density matrix. In a two-party system, it is not surprising that most Americans view their own party favorably while viewing the opposing party unfavorably. Currently, 62% of the public says the use of marijuana should be made legal, while 34% say it should be illegal. After Sanders suspension, online forums and social media exploded with political disagreement. The views of GOP leaners are nearly identical to the opinions of those who affiliate with the GOP (74% prefer smaller government). EIN: 85-1311683. 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. These shares have changed only modestly in recent years, but the proportion of independents is higher than it was from 2000-2008, when no more than about a third of the public identified as independents. Large majorities of both Democrats (85%) and Democratic leaners (81%) say the U.S. economic system unfairly favors powerful interests. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. 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. 1615 L St. NW, Suite 800Washington, DC 20036USA All rights reserved (About Us). So, how do alternative voting methods stack up against these criteria? Please support our research with a financial contribution. Democratic leaners, like Democrats, overwhelmingly disapprove of the president. Read our, How To Succeed as an Independent Contractor, The Differences Between Employed vs. Self-Employed, What To Know About Household Employee Taxes, Hiring and Paying an Independent Contractor, How the IRS Determines Independent Contractor Status, The Tax Treatment of Self-Employment Income, What You Need to Know Before You Sign a W-9 Form, What To Do With an IRS Backup Withholding Notice.