Amid political polarization and declining trust in the two-party system, many younger Americans are abandoning both the Republican and Democratic parties. A recent NBC News Stay Tuned Poll revealed that 64% of independents view the Democratic Party unfavorably, while 71% have a similar opinion of the Republican Party. This sentiment resonates particularly among Gen Z, who are more likely than older generations to identify as independents.
Concerns about corruption and the prioritization of fundraising over legislative duties are prevalent among young voters. For example, Nathan Gong, a 19-year-old student, expresses frustration with both parties. He sees the Republican Party as struggling to connect with younger demographics and criticizes the Democrats for losing touch with average Americans through overly empathetic messaging.
Jack Nagel, 26, describes the Democratic Party as “frozen,” failing to counteract Trump’s influence, while also rejecting the Republican Party’s alignment with Trump. He identifies as “politically homeless,” feeling no party represents his values.
The poll highlights generational disillusionment: 65% of Gen Z independents believe neither major party advocates for their interests, and 78% feel the country is on the wrong track. Many express strong disapproval of Trump’s presidency, with a notable number reporting feelings of anger towards his actions.
Independent voter Natasha Mizell acknowledges the difficulty of choosing between “the lesser of two evils” in presidential elections but believes there’s potential for local and state-level change by electing independent candidates. Despite the obstacles independents face, Nagel emphasizes the importance of fostering a new generation of independent, anti-corruption candidates to drive reform from the ground up.
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