Originally reporting per Axios.

Recent news reveals a significant shift in the American political landscape: according to a Gallup poll conducted last month, a record 49% of Americans now identify as politically independent. This figure matches the combined total of those who identify with the two major political parties, Democrats and Republicans.

The key takeaway is that the most prevalent political affiliation in the U.S. is no longer Democrat or Republican, but rather a preference for remaining unaffiliated and open to considering various options.

The implications of this trend are significant. The growing number of independent voters poses challenges to the influence and financial power of the traditional parties. It also sheds light on the volatility and closely divided nature of American politics—a situation that shows no signs of abating in the near future.

Gallup analyst Jeff Jones attributes much of this shift to the attitudes of younger generations. While it has always been common for younger adults to identify as independents more frequently than older adults, Jones notes a departure from past patterns: "What is unusual is that as Gen X and millennials get older, they are staying independent rather than picking a party, as older generations tended to do."

Jones also highlights a broader trend: widespread disillusionment with the political system, U.S. institutions, and the two major parties, which are perceived as ineffective, excessively partisan, and excessively extreme.