CNN poll: Political independents hit their highest level in a decade

[pat_k]

12. Q1 2026 report from Gallup paints a grimmer picture for republicans:

When it comes to party affiliation, Gallup is considered the gold standard. #Added on edit: it is truly remarkable how far off this CNN poll is from Gallup. I don't know what to make of it #

Relative to the average across 2025, Republicans and Independents decreased and Democratic affiliation increased.

Q1 2026 (ABC report of Gallup numbers)
25% Republican (last time they were this low was 2013)
43% Independent
30% Democratic

Average across all quarters 2025 (Gallup)
27% Republican
45% Independent
27% Democratic

The shift is even more dramatic when you look at the "Lean" numbers (Republican + Independent leaning R and Democatic + Independent leaning D)



Historical context