In a recent article about undecided voters published by Newsweek, Independent Voting President Jacqueline Salit dismisses the notion that independent voters are less active or engaged in the political system, asserting instead that being unaffiliated with a major party is a protest against the status quo and a call for political reform.

There is a shift away from the two-party system growing among American voters – a shift that is especially tangible among young voters. Feeling that no party completely represents them, they reject the status quo of identifying with political ideologies and instead focus on the issues that are important to them. As a result, young voters are deciding not to join a political party, and instead declare themselves independents.

The Purple Principle, a non-partisan podcast for independent-minded Americans exploring the perils of partisanship in U.S. politics, society and daily life, recently featured four leaders in the independent voting movement in the episode “The Forty Million Missing: America’s Independent Voters and Voices.”

On Wednesday, June 3, Independent Voting President Jackie Salit hosted a Zoom event titled "How Can We Move Forward in Anger and Determination? An Independents’ Dialogue on Current Events, Protest and Political Power." The event took place in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers and the public outcry for justice that resulted. Salit was joined by three distinguished guests: Michael Hardy, Executive Director and General Counsel of the National Action Network and Rev. Al Sharpton; David Cherry, leader of the All Stars Project in Chicago and President of the Leaders Network; and Dr. Jessie Fields, physician, front-line activist for democracy reform and Independent Voting board member.