independents

Independents are individuals or groups who do not align with any political party. In representative democracies, independents may participate as voters, candidates, or elected officials who are not formally tied to a party’s platform. They may campaign on personal or issue-based agendas, or position themselves as alternatives to party candidates. Independents often emphasize autonomy and flexibility, though their positions can vary widely.

In elections, independents appear on ballots as unaffiliated candidates or as nonpartisan candidates in jurisdictions that do not require party labeling. In legislatures, independents may sit as unaffiliated members and sometimes form informal caucuses or align with a party on specific issues. They can be pivotal in tightly divided bodies, where a small number of independent votes influence control or policy decisions.

The term is used globally, with variations in meaning. In the United States, many voters identify as independents, and some elected independents caucus with Democrats or Republicans. In the United Kingdom, independents win seats in Parliament and local councils. In other systems, independents persist where party discipline is weaker or local issues dominate.

Advantages often cited for independents include reducing partisanship, offering cross-cutting perspectives, and highlighting issue-focused governance. Critics argue that independents can lack the organizational resources of parties, leading to less consistent messaging or weaker campaign infrastructure.

See also: nonpartisan, third party, party affiliation.