It's Been a Minute Sick of Democrats & Republicans? There's another option.
8 snips
Mar 4, 2026 
Dr. Omar Ali, historian of Black politics and third-party movements, and Elena Moore, NPR political reporter tracking Gen Z trends, explore how 'independent' has shifted from moderate to a broad, issue-driven identity. They discuss Gen Z's surge toward independence, historical roots of third-party movements, who appeals to independents, and the systemic obstacles that keep challengers out.
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Gen Z Is Moving Away From Party Labels
- Young voters, especially Gen Z, overwhelmingly identify as independent rather than aligning with Democrats or Republicans.
- Elena Moore notes 56% of Gen Z call themselves independent and they vote based on issues, not party labels.
Economy Is The Unifying Issue For Young Independents
- The dominant issue driving young independents is economic anxiety rooted in lived experience of recessions and instability.
- Elena Moore links Gen Z's independence to growing up during the Great Recession and persistent economic uncertainty.
Independent Can Mean Firm Partisan Leanings
- 'Independent' doesn't always mean moderate; many independents hold firm ideological views that align with one party in practice.
- Moore explains Trump and Bernie supporters may call themselves independent while strongly supporting a political icon.
