Data Shows Independents Bridge Partisan Divide

What is happening? Abt Associates reviewed voting information in Arizona where 1/3 of voters are Democrats, 1/3 Republican, and 1/3 Independent. Their survey showed that when Republicans and Democrats formed friendships with Independents, the reliance on moderate media consumption increased, especially for Republicans.

Why is this important? independents have social networks that are structurally different from those of partisans and that impacts the way their Democratic and Republican friends see their own political views.

How will this be important? The number of independents has been concisely growing to 40% of the overall electorate.

Governing | Can Independents Be a Bridge Over Our Partisan Divide?