Other advantages may be longer-term or larger scale. Voting has become a toxic act where people are told, if you dont vote for our candidate, you dont belong to our party. Why should people have to vote for someone they dont believe in and dont support? Being an independent contractor can be rewarding since it offers you the ability to be your own boss, choose which clients to work for, and allow you to work from home. In this article, we define what an independent contractor is and list examples, as well as explore the pros and cons of this type of work. You arent an independent voter in California if you checked this box . Sanders had been pegged by many Democratic voters as too socialist, loud and abrasive, along with many other words. In early 2018, similar shares of Republicans (77%) and Democrats (74%) said the quality of candidates running for Congress in their district in the last several elections had been good. But that was the first time it was really in the spotlight.. Democratic leaners include roughly equal shares of men (51%) and women (49%). Just 7% of Americans decline to lean toward a party, a share that has changed little in recent years. 3On some issues, there are significant differences between leaners and partisans. In a survey conducted shortly after the November 2018 midterm election, just a third of those who dont lean toward either party (33%) reported voting. Trumps early rating among independents is closest to Clintons, whose job approval averaged about 42% during his first two years in office. Many of Sanders supporters felt his chances at the presidency had been smeared and interfered with by liberal media. 2Independents who lean to one of the two parties are often much closer to partisans in their views than they are to independents who lean to the other party. 1 Nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults (38%) identify as politically independent, but most "lean" toward one of the two major parties. You can feel free to vote for a third-party candidate without the guilt of betraying your party. 6Independents are younger and more likely to be male than partisans. During his first two years in office, Trumps job rating among members of his own party was relatively high compared with recent presidents. A 63% majority of those who identify as Republicans say the U.S. economic system is fair to most Americans; fewer than half as many (29%) say the system unfairly favors powerful interests. The spectrum of political opinions is far too diverse and wide-ranging to be isolated to two groups that essentially represent the same issues, goals and policies. I know this is a red state and most red Republicans would rather be caught with their pants down than labeled the D word. Could a subterranean river or aquifer generate enough continuous momentum to power a waterwheel for the purpose of producing electricity? With the 2020 election, we have begun to see more than two parties. However, there are some potential drawbacks about being self-employed to consider too. Nearly a third (31%) are younger than 30, compared with 21% of Republican-leaning independents and just 19% and 14%, respectively, among those who identify as Democrats and Republicans. A newer method, STAR, allows voters to score each candidate on a scale and then the two candidates with the highest scores enter an automatic runoff, with voters ballots cast to whichever candidate they scored highest. Prior to 2008, Californians who wanted to opt out of choosing a party had to search for the option at the bottom of a list labeled, Political party fill in one oval. That years revision resulted in a form that allowed a mark to placed next to a new statement reading, I dont want to register with a political party.. Fewer than half of independents (37%) are ages 50 and older; among those who identify as Democrats, 48% are 50 and older, as are a majority (54%) of those who identify as Republicans. You no longer have to be labeled. "Estimated Taxes. You might earn more as an independent contractor, and the tax benefits can include deducting your business expenses. The concept that not voting is a vote for the other candidate is largely untrue. Among GOP leaners, 44% say immigrants strengthen the country because of their hard work and talents; 40% say they are a burden on the country because they take jobs, housing and health care. The spectrum of political opinions is far too diverse and wide-ranging to be isolated to two groups that essentially represent the same issues, goals and policies. Just as an FYI, I live in Florida and we also have closed elections. George Wallace, The focus of criticism has been the traditional paper registration document, Californias top-two primary has made state and congressional elections open to all voters, Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon blasted at White House Correspondents dinner. As Pew Research Center reported last year, Donald Trumps job approval rating during the early stage of his presidency is more polarized along partisan lines than any president in the past six decades. Voters from all walks of life including celebrities, business leaders and the spouses of candidates said they incorrectly filled out the forms. That's a dramatic shift from just two decades ago, when only 12 percent of Florida voters were neither Republican nor Democrat. Want to read more content like this? As an independent insurance agent, you'll have the opportunity to work with the full support of a field marketing organization, or FMO something captive agents can't do. The voter may abstain from voting if the two choices are not to the voters liking. But there are dozens of voting methods out there. (US House/Senate). All answers are welcome, but I'm the sort of person who spends time on Skeptics, so I love sources and statistics if anyone wishes to include them as well :). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The postage-paid voter registration card was last revised in 2008. They are less politically engaged than Republicans or Democrats and this is especially the case among independents who do not lean to a party. Internal Revenue Service. State elections officials consulted with voting rights advocates and local registrars on the best way forward. Nearly 40 percent of voters in the United States identify as independent, yet there are only four independents serving in Congress. For this reason, it can be misleading to look at independents as a single bloc. Checking Irreducibility to a Polynomial with Non-constant Degree over Integer. A recent Pew Research Center report took a detailed look at these Americans. Is voting worth trading your moral or ethical stance for? Pro #1: It usually means you can take of yourself I think it's great that we learn to stand on our own two feet. You can still be and call yourself an independent. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. There exists an element in a group whose order is at most the number of conjugacy classes, Understanding the probability of measurement w.r.t. People who blindly toe party lines (my party, right or wrong) are the biggest kind of idiots in the country. Ability to choose clients. Setting up your own business as an independent contractor requires an investment of time and energy, but the risk can pay off handsomely. Given current state law, we did everything we could, he said. Over the same period, there has been growth in the shares of Democrats and Democratic leaners identifying as liberal. Being independent you can think. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Other primary election types include: 1) open primaries, in which a voter either does not have to formally affiliate with a political party in order to vote in its primary or can declare his or her . Firstly because of the restriction on voting in primaries. Within the GOP coalition, 36% of Republican leaners share this view, versus 27% of Republican identifiers. Democratic-leaning independents are younger than other independents or partisans. Only about a quarter of non-leaners approved of Trumps job performance during his first two years, while about six-in-ten (58%) disapproved. Overall, independents are divided in preferences about the size of government and views about government regulation of business. Over the same period, there has been a decline in the share expressing a negative view of both parties, from 23% in 2015 to 17% currently. Majorities of both Democrats (69%) and independents (68%) favor legalizing marijuana; Republicans are divided, with 45% supportive of legalization and 51% opposed. The poll failed with 55% No voters . . By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Its been shown to easily elect a good candidate and encourage competition. First, a pragmatic argument: an Independent candidate has rejected the advantages of being part of an established infrastructure and support network. Majorities of independents say the U.S. needs to continue to make changes to give blacks equal rights with whites (57%) and that significant obstacles still make it harder for women to get ahead (54%). . Why Being a Contractor Can Be Better Than Being an Employee, Difference Between Independent Contractor and Employee, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes. It's too late to change that platform, even if the politician were willing to do so, and thus there is limited options to address the independent's needs, at least without reneging on your platform and promises. Because people wont vote for the third party. (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries. Sure, sounds easy, but changing costumes 13 times in one day to get my 13 votes in is a lot more difficult than it seems! Being an independent contractor comes with a variety of benefits, including flexibility, autonomy and tax deductions for business expenses. somehow the 'vote as often as legal' comment amuses me. While its true change happens slowly, we can make that change by being willing to stand up for the working lower class. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for insurance agents was over $52,000 in 2020. Well, that depends on who you ask and what criteria theyre using. Those who do not lean toward a party a group that consistently expresses less interest in politics than partisan leaners were less likely to say they had registered to vote and much less likely to say they voted. In addition, independents are more likely than partisans to have negative views of both major parties. How to check for #1 being either `d` or `h` with latex3? In most elections for local, state and national elections the voters must select from only two choices. While 36% of all independents favored substantially expanding the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border in a January survey, 75% of Republican-leaning independents but just 5% of Democratic leaners said this. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. After Sanders suspension, online forums and social media exploded with political disagreement. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. These numbers have changed little since 2000. Is there a generic term for these trajectories? Most of the change since then has come among Republican-leaning independents, who feel much more positively about the GOP than they did then. When youre starting, apply to agencies that can connect you with contract work. You must fund your Social Security and Medicare taxes. It is too late for 2016. In North Carolina, for example, a voter registered as an independent can choose which primary they wish to vote in. "Self-Employment Tax (Social Security and Medicare Taxes). An overwhelming majority of independents (81%) continue to lean toward either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. Robinson also rejected the idea that confusion is a key reason that his party now represents more than a half-million Californians almost quadruple the next closest group in size, the states Libertarian Party. Trumps rating also was low among independents who have no partisan leanings. Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World, Wide Gender Gap, Growing Educational Divide in Voters Party Identification, As Pew Research Center reported last year, Trump divides partisans and partisan leaners alike, Independents views of U.S.-Mexico border wall, other key issues, Independents views of race, immigrants, gender, Broad support among independents for same-sex marriage, marijuana legalization, More partisans and partisan leaners embrace ideological labels, How independents view the political parties, Growing partisan antipathy among partisans and leaners, As Partisan Hostility Grows, Signs of Frustration With the Two-Party System, The polarization in todays Congress has roots that go back decades, Republicans and Democrats alike say its stressful to talk politics with people who disagree, Both Republicans and Democrats prioritize family, but they differ over other sources of meaning in life, Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology, What the data says about Americans views of climate change, Podcasts as a Source of News and Information, AI in Hiring and Evaluating Workers: What Americans Think, Americans confident in Zelenskyy, but have limited familiarity with some other world leaders, How Public Polling Has Changed in the 21st Century. We no longer have left and right, blue and red, Democrats and conservatives, but rather three parties, with progressives and socialists forming their own sphere. Independents also have a negative view of increased tariffs between the U.S. and its trading partners (53% say they will be bad for the U.S., 36% good for the U.S.). There is something inherently problematic about voting for a candidate that doesnt back policies you support, expresses behavior that you find inappropriate or undesirable and may not even support your existence solely because of the party they belong to. He also wrote a weekly newsletter on California politics and provided regular news analysis. Many of Sanders supporters felt his chances at the presidency had been smeared and interfered with by liberal media and fellow former Democratic presidential candidates. Like Democrats, most Democratic-leaning independents prefer bigger government. That might help voters see the distinction missed by some in earlier versions between being an independent voter and selecting the American Independent Party a conservative political group founded in 1968 to boost the presidential campaign of former Alabama Gov. Still, a survey conducted for The Times in 2016 found 73% of American Independent Party voters believed they were unaffiliated with any party. Pros of Independence Self-confidence. While a narrow majority of Republicans (54%) opposed same-sex-marriage in 2017, nearly six-in-ten Republican-leaning independents (58%) favored allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally. If I were registered Republican or Democrat, I could at least vote in the primaries, and in so doing have a say on which candidates are chosen to compete for the presidency, but as an independent I am not allowed to vote in either sides primaries. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. By comparison, only about one-in-ten partisans view both parties negatively. But as experts in this field, weve developed a short list of criteria that we find to be critical for any voting method. In a survey conducted last fall, shortly after the midterm elections, partisan leaners were less likely than partisans to say they registered to vote and voted in the congressional elections. We no longer have left and right, blue and red, Democrats and conservatives, but rather three parties, with progressives and socialists forming their own sphere. Become a newsletter subscriber to stay up-to-date on the latest Giving Compass news. About half of Democratic-leaning independents (48%) said they voted, compared with 59% of Democrats. It may have some flaws like lack of minority representation on the bench and perception of fairness. First off, you dont have to be pressured by one party or another to vote a specific way. What does the power set mean in the construction of Von Neumann universe? Please support our research with a financial contribution. Nearly 40 percent of voters in the United States identify as independent, yet there are only four independents serving in Congress. As you can see, each alternative voting method has its strengths and weaknesses, and none is perfect. Possessing a few fix-it and maintenance skills is liberating and cost-effective. By comparison, 44% of Republican leaners and 33% of Republicans say the same. By a wide margin (62% to 36%), independents oppose Trumps signature policy proposal, an expansion of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. A majority of those who identify as Republicans (55%) say immigrants burden the country. I work in the Presidential battleground state of Florida, we have a lot of state representative, county commission races, etc. Sign up for The Balances newsletter for daily insights, analysis, and financial tips, all delivered straight to your inbox every morning! But there are sharper differences in the views of Republicans and GOP leaners. Obamas average rating was 50% during his first year (2009); it fell to 42% in his second year. Voting has become a toxic act where people are told, "if you don't vote for our candidate, you don't belong to our party." Why should people have to vote for someone they don't believe in and don't support? It shouldnt be about party allegiance. Nearly half of independents who do not lean to a party describe their views as moderate, while 24% are conservatives and 18% are liberals. I've also been engaged in Democratic party politics and legislative work for the last decade. How well do you collaborate with others? Which party actually caused the 2016 presidential election swing? The tendency of my state's voting doesn't really have anything to do with my independent views? Can someone please explain these numbers and how the Republican won the CA US 21st congressional district in 2016? Still, about 70% of GOP leaners approved of his job performance during his first two years in office. Independents often are portrayed as political free agents with the potential to alleviate the nations rigid partisan divisions. In an interview, Padilla said additional clarity would have to come from the California Legislature. Again anecdotally, the independent vote in Florida tends to either lean Libertarian, or strongly leftist-progressive. Also, you might need to pay for your own tools and equipment as well as establish a federal and state tax ID number. Pros of Being an Independent Caregiver. Independents views on the 2017 tax bill are more divided: 34% approve of the tax law and 43% disapprove. 4. When Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the 2020 United States Presidential Race on April 8, the fallout was palpable, especially among those who identify as independent. Probably the only alternative voting method youve heard about, after being the first alternative voting method to be implemented at the state level. PRO: Your Income Potential is Unlimited. In the next part of our series, well share more about what The Center for Election Science see as the best solution, and how can you help make that a reality. But the best advice I can give is be engaged, know what you care about and vote as often as legal. The differences were comparable between GOP leaners (54% said they voted) and Republicans (61%). I think that it will result in more completed forms coming in, and should reduce the confusion.. Among the 50 states, our children came in last in education. In that sense I figured that the mere act of being registered as an independent may affect the vote, because the more of us independents out there the more likely candidates would moderate their platform to recognize the needs of that swing-vote demographic and stick to more centralist policies. Aside from Obama (and maaaaybe GWB if you squint hard enough), that wasn't true since Mondale in 1994. Views of immigrants impact on the country are largely positive among Democratic-leaning independents (88% say they strengthen the U.S.) and those who identify as Democrats (80%). The views of GOP leaners are nearly identical to the opinions of those who affiliate with the GOP (74% prefer smaller government). Statistically, it doesnt even make sense. The share of Democratic-leaning independents with a very unfavorable opinion of the Republican Party has more than quadrupled between 1994 and 2018 (from 8% to 37%). (For more on partisan identification over time, see the 2018 report Wide Gender Gap, Growing Educational Divide in Voters Party Identification.). At 21 (many years ago) I reasoned that no one party could always have the best candidates or have the perfect plan/platform at every given time. On social issues I mostly support one side, but I lean towards the other side on many other issues; and ultimately I have no strong allegiance to either party and am frustrated whenever I see views that seem partisan or too extreme to either side, in short I think I truly am an independent at heart, not just on paper. Being "registered" as Democratic/Republican/Independent vs being a party member. Here are six facts about political independents: 1Nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults (38%) identify as politically independent, but most lean toward one of the two major parties. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, found a substantial number of Californians who registered with the American Independent Party wrongly believed they werent part of any political party, Road to vindication for Californias Barbara Lee, the only member of Congress to vote against Afghanistan war, Burned trees and billions in cash: How a California climate program lets companies keep polluting, Column: A centrist, third-party alternative for 2024 is a nice idea but a nightmare in practice, founded in 1968 to boost the presidential campaign of former Alabama Gov. That's because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has only two distinctions: an independent contractor or an employee. Students a, The latest edition of the PSU Vanguard is out! Massive voter fraud stems from the independents ;), There's the old Chicago saying, "Vote Early, Vote Often.". I could hardly be an independent if I vote for one party always; I thought that context was pretty explicit, the question doesn't really make sense without the presumption that my vote won't effect presidential elections after all. Regardless of the label, all are essentially the same in practice, including a self-employed designation when it comes to U.S. tax purposes. By contrast, moderates continue to make up the largest share of independents who do not lean to a party. However I live in Maryland, which has closed primaries for both parties and the state will always vote Democrat for presidential elections; which leaves me feeling that being an independent removes my voice. Independents also are younger on average than are partisans. Why did US v. Assange skip the court of appeal? It's very empowering to have the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wherewithal to look after yourself. If you really want to be more independent, and have the opportunity for a lot of . And while clear majorities of both Democrats and Democratic leaners favor same-sex marriage, Democratic-leaning independents are somewhat more likely than Democrats to hold this view (82% vs. 71%). And while men account for about half of Republicans (51%) and four-in-ten Democrats (40%), they account for 64% of Republican leaners and 51% of Democratic leaners. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. As an independent contractor, you're your own boss, meaning you have more control, but you also have more responsibility. sexual assault allegations against Biden by former aide Tara Reade. We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. When the holidays roll around and your relatives ask who you voted for, you can smugly say I voted green, or something along those lines, and watch their jaws hit the floor. Having candidates that represent other political parties outside Republican and Democrat increases voter choice. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. "It seems primaries are won by being the one that your hard-core party types like the best" - you seem to be watching different primaries from me? Among independents, men make up a sizable share (64%) of Republican leaners and a smaller majority (55%) of independents who do not lean. Here are the basic pros and cons of becoming an independent contractor.#. QGIS automatic fill of the attribute table by expression. Large majorities of Democrats and Democratic leaners say the U.S. needs to make more changes to give blacks equal rights and that significant obstacles stand in the way of women. The card millions of Californians use to register to vote is receiving its first makeover in more than a decade, inspired in part by confusion over how to become an independent unaffiliated voter a problem highlighted by a Los Angeles Times investigation in 2016. Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World, Voters Rarely Switch Parties, but Recent Shifts Further Educational, Racial Divergence, 6 facts about U.S. political independents, Political Independents: Who They Are, What They Think, Partisan Identification Is Sticky, but About 10% Switched Parties Over the Past Year, 2016 Party Identification Detailed Tables, What the data says about Americans views of climate change, Podcasts as a Source of News and Information, AI in Hiring and Evaluating Workers: What Americans Think, Americans confident in Zelenskyy, but have limited familiarity with some other world leaders, How Public Polling Has Changed in the 21st Century. However, all are better than our current voting method, which is why organizations around the country are working hard to see these methods adopted. All rights reserved (About Us). It seems primaries are won by being the one that your hard-core party types like the best, which is not always the same as being the one that stands the best chance of actually becoming president. Being independent you can think for yourself and not be constrained by party dogma. We recommend working with a top FMO like Ritter Insurance Marketing to help you get started on the right path. In addition, Trumps rating has been more stable than prior presidents. National Politics. Political parties are able to draw on resources, financial . Majorities of Republican and Democratic leaners have a favorable opinion of their own party, and they are almost as likely as Republican and Democratic identifiers to have an unfavorable opinion of the opposing party. 5. About a quarter of both Republican leaners (24%) and Democratic leaners (27%) view both parties unfavorably, as do 37% of those with no partisan leaning. Trumps job rating among independents for his first two years in office also was lower than his recent predecessors; his average job rating among independents was 34% in both 2017 and 2018. However, being an independent contractor can come with more responsibility. Israel and South Korea make national elections a holiday to avoid economic hardship for voters. I spend a lot of time talking to people across the country about our work at The Center for Election Science to strengthen democracy. For example, while 34% of independents as a whole said they approved of the way Donald Trump was handling his job as president in a March Pew Research Center survey, the gap between independents who lean to the GOP and those who lean to the Democratic Party (73% vs. 9%) was nearly as wide as the gap between Republicans and Democrats (85% vs. 8%). Here are six advantages to being an independent case manager: 1.
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