Released: June 4, 2012 Partisan Polarization Surges in Bush,
Obama Years Trends in American Values: 1987-2012 Section 9:
Trends in Party Affiliation The number of political independents
has continued to grow, as both parties have lost ground among
the public. Based on surveys conducted this year, 38% describe
themselves as independents, up from 32% in 2008 and 30% in 2004.
The proportion of independents is now higher than at any point
in more than two decades. Looking back even further,
independents are more numerous than at any point in the last 70
years. (For trends in party identification from 1939-2012, see
this interactive feature.) Meanwhile, the percentage of self-
described Democrats has fallen from 36% four years ago to 32%
today. Republican identification has remained largely stable
over this period (24% today, 25% in 2008). In 1991, however,
there were nearly equal percentages of Republicans (31%),
Democrats (31%) and independents (33%). The Democrats continue
to hold an advantage in leaned party id