By Richard Wolf, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – More than 2.5 million voters have left the Democratic and Republican parties since the 2008 elections, while the number of independent voters continues to grow.
A USA TODAY analysis of state voter
registration statistics shows registered Democrats declined in 25 of the
28 states that register voters by party. Republicans dipped in 21
states, while independents increased in 18 states.
The
trend is acute in states that are key to next year's presidential race.
In the eight swing states that register voters by party, Democrats'
registration is down by 800,000 and Republicans' by 350,000.
Independents have gained 325,000.
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The
pattern continues a decades-long trend that has seen a diminution in
the power of political parties, giving rise to independents as Ross Perot and Ralph Nader and the popularity this year of libertarian Republican Ron Paul.
"The
strident voices of both the left and the right have sort of soured
people from saying willingly that they belong to one party or the
other," says Doug Lewis,
who represents state elections officials. "If both sides call each
other scurrilous dogs, then the public believes that both sides are
probably scurrilous dogs."
Registered
Democrats still dominate the political playing field with more than 42
million voters, compared to 30 million Republicans and 24 million
independents. But Democrats have lost the most — 1.7 million, or 3.9%,
from 2008.
Democratic registration has fared worse than Republicans in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina
and Pennsylvania — the eight swing states with party registration.
Republican losses are biggest in Nevada, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
The
decline is due to a variety of factors. People move, people die, people
revolt in disgust. Many are stripped from registration rolls by states
seeking to remove inactive voters.
By
contrast, the number of independents has grown for years and is up more
than 400,000 since 2008, or 1.7%. States with big gains: Colorado,
Florida, North Carolina — and Arizona, a possible target for President
Obama in 2012.
The 2012 winner, says North Carolina elections director Gary Bartlett, will be "whoever is attractive to the unaffiliated voter."
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