William_T._Bianco,_David_T._Canon]_American_Polit

American political parties today 275

does not identify with a party. However, the percentage of true Independents is much

smaller: if we asked these so-called Independents if they leaned toward one party or

the other, about two-thirds would claim this level of affiliation, and they would be split

evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Independents are not necessarily better

informed about candidates, parties, or government policy than are party identifiers.

However, they are much less likely to get involved in political activity beyond voting,

such as contributing to or working for a candidate or party.^25

With a closer look at voting decisions, Figure 8.3 shows how Democrats, Republicans,

and Independents voted in the 2016 presidential election (“closet partisan” Independents

FIGURE

8.2

In terms of party ID, the parties have

moved from rough parity in the 1990s

to a slight Democratic advantage in

the 2000s, although this change has

eroded in recent years. What events

might have caused these changes in

party ID?

Source: Pew Research Center, “Party

Identification Trends, 1992–2016,”

(^199219951998200120042007201020132016) http://www.people-press.org (accessed 2/18/18).
Independent
Republican
Democrat

25

30

35

40 %

20

40

60

80

100%

Voted for Clinton Voted for Trump

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

FIGURE

8.3

The Impact of

Party ID on

Voting Decisions

in the 2016

Presidential

Election

Americans are much more likely to vote

for candidates who share their party

affiliation. What does this relationship

tell us about the impact of campaign

events (including speeches, debates,

and gaffes) on voting decisions?

Source: Data compiled from CNN Exit Poll,

http://www.cnn.com/election/results/exit-polls/

national/president (accessed 11/9/16).

Party ID Trends

among American

Vo t e r s

Full_09_APT_64431_ch08_262-295.indd 275 16/11/18 1:40 PM