Report: More than 2.5 million have left major parties

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

(Credit: CBS)

Since the 2008 elections, more than 2.5 million people have given up membership in the Democratic and Republican parties, according to a USA Today analysis of voter registration statistics.

The analysis found that the number of registered Democrats has declined in 25 of the 28 states that register voters by party, while the number of registered Republicans has declined in 21 of those states.

Many voters have expressed frustration with the major parties and the government as a whole. In the latest CBS News poll, 56 percent of Americans said they are dissatisfied with the federal government, and 26 percent said they were angry toward the government; Congress' job approval rating, meanwhile, was just 11 percent.

The frustration appears to be driving more Americans to become independents. In the eight swing states analyzed by USA Today, Democratic registration fell 800,000, and GOP registration fell 350,000, while the number if independents increased 325,000.

The finding could be taken as evidence that Americans are increasingly open to a presidential candidate outside the two-party system. Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is preparing to announce a run on the Libertarian ticket after a frustrating run at the GOP nomination, and a group called Americans Elect is working to get on the ballot in all 50 states in order to give voters the choice of a ticket that doesn't come from one of the two parties.

According to USA Today, there are 42 million registered Democrats in the country today, along with 30 million Republicans and 24 million independents.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by 14FREEK December 26, 2011 2:00 AM EST: on February 22, 2004, (Ralph) Nader announced on NBC that he would indeed run for president as an independent, saying, "There's too much power and wealth in too few hands." Foresight, uncommon.; Reply to this comment


by 14FREEK December 26, 2011 1:38 AM EST: According to USA Today, there are 42 million registered Democrats in the country today, along with 30 million Republicans and 24 million independents. Totals 96 million. In 2008 65,182,692 votes for Obama, and 57,212,032 for McCain. Which equals over 122 million. So you still have 25 million who don't register. With the 24 millin independents is about 50 million who don't identify with either Predominant party. vs 57 and 65 sounds like a thee way coud be possible. Where is Ralph Nader when you need him.; Reply to this comment

by obwan222 December 24, 2011 9:15 AM EST

"You can see the trend of Americans rejecting the socialist ideology of the Democrats..."

Yeah, right. That's why Dems outnumber Reps by 40%. And more people register as Dems than GOP every day. That's why the GOP is always trying to come up with ways to prevent people from voting.

"The Democratic Party has become so subversive..."

I think the word you meant to use was diverse. The Dems are a diverse lot that allow many different views, opinions and religions. Whereas the GOP has tried to cut off from membership anyone that doesn't fit their us vs. them mentality.

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by GoGoUsa December 25, 2011 4:12 AM EST: Acorn? Nothing say's dumb better then those idiotic FOX talking points from 2008. Stuck on stupid merry Christmas.


by 14FREEK December 26, 2011 2:03 AM EST: Rejecting the extremism of each party. This extremism is causing the discontent, the noncooperative nature of politics today.


by smittyc December 23, 2011 4:40 PM EST: Obama is changing his campaign slogan from Hope and Change. The new campaign slogan was going to be Hope and Pray They are That Stupid, but his campaign Manager the former Mayor of Chicago said it was to long of a slogan and changed it to "Hope and Pray".; Reply to this comment


by smittyc December 23, 2011 4:34 PM EST: I think the election of Chris Christie said it all. New Jersey has over 90% of their electorate as registered Democrats. Corzine who ran for a second term lost to Christie in a rout. The reason, the economy, in new Jersey was almost as bad as the HOpe and Change economy. Corzine then went to MF Global which just went bankrupt and is under investigation for missing funds. Corzine, apeared before congress, when asked where the missing money was said I dont know, why you asking me? Recently when interviewed Obama was asked what happened to Hope and Change? His reply, it should have worked, I don't know. It will someday.; Reply to this comment

by tryhonesty December 23, 2011 4:19 PM EST

Translation: 2.5 Million More Fence Riders.

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by 14FREEK December 26, 2011 2:04 AM EST: 2.5 million more discontent with party bickering.

by Eli_of_Cincy December 23, 2011 4:04 PM EST

It's too late for this cycle, but check out the Modern Whigs. modernwhig.org.

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by 14FREEK December 26, 2011 2:04 AM EST: No it is not too late. and I never heard of modern whigs.

by tsigili December 23, 2011 4:02 PM EST

The Democratic Party has become so subversive, in its effort to become a party that cannot be defeated, thereby giving the party de facto dictatorship of the country, that we have to wonder, if revolution isn't what's coming in the future.

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by Eli_of_Cincy December 23, 2011 4:05 PM EST: Everyone is still too comfortable to revolt.


by 14FREEK December 26, 2011 2:10 AM EST: maybe not everyone but too many. Not enough YET to be discontent enough to revolt. but look at recent events-TEA party, Occupy Wall Street. It might be sooner than the doldrum predicts

by DocD--2008 December 23, 2011 4:01 PM EST

And since you don't have to register but once or when you move it means these numbers mean nothing and they are guessing big time. Not even newsworthy.

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by 14FREEK December 26, 2011 2:16 AM EST: you are automatically re-registered every time you vote.

by HappyHolidays1 December 23, 2011 3:44 PM EST

Congress is the problem.

Both sides are filled with millionaires!

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by HappyHolidays1 December 23, 2011 3:45 PM EST: Make Congress like jury duty for one year for intellectuals.

Pay them the average US salary, make them find their own health insurance, and disallow lobbying.

Then you'd have millionaires fighting to get OUT, not in!