Does America need more than just the Democratic and Republican parties? Fewer people are starting to think so.
After reaching a high of 62% in 2021, the percentage of Americans believing a third political party is needed has dropped.
A new Gallup poll claims 56% of respondents feel the existing political parties "do such a poor job that a third major party is needed."
At the same time, the poll shows that four in 10 Americans do not see the need for a third party, agreeing that "the Republican and Democratic parties do an adequate job of representing the American people."
"People's belief that the two major parties do such a poor job that a third major political party is needed may stem from dissatisfaction with one or both parties, especially when one's own party does not occupy the White House," the poll noted. "It may also reflect people's basic support for the core democratic values of pluralism, participation and freedom."
Desire for a third major party has always been much higher among political independents than either Democrats or Republicans, and that continues in 2022, according to the poll.
"Independents' support has been consistently high over the past decade, not falling below 70% since 2013. And it has been especially high, near 75%, since September 2021," Gallup noted.
According to combined 2021-2022 data, 76% of independents who lean toward the Republican Party and 76% of independents who lean toward the Democratic Party would like there to be a third major party in the U.S.
Further differences in support for a third party are seen when combining respondents' party preference and their political ideology. The poll shows large majorities of independents (74%) and moderate/liberal Republicans (60%) are in favor of having a third major party. Support falls to a bare majority of liberal Democrats (51%), followed by less than half of conservative Republicans (45%) and barely a third of moderate/conservative Democrats (35%)., according to the poll.
"These findings could reveal differences in each group's contentment with their own party's political players, as well as dissatisfaction with the opposing party," the poll noted.
Gallup said the data shows there is demand across the political spectrum for better leadership that well-conceived third parties may be able to tap into.
"With moderate/liberal Republicans more supportive of having a third party than they've been historically and second only to independents in this sentiment, third parties with a center-right focus might find the most traction right now," the poll suggested.
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