Record Independent Voters Cast Ballots in 2026 Midterms

United States voters head to the polls on Tuesday for the 2026 midterm elections. A record 117 million adults, representing 44 percent of the electorate, identify as politically independent. While the Republican Party and Democratic Party maintain dominance through funding advantages and the winner-take-all system, independent candidates are experiencing a stronger cycle.

Joe Manchin, the former senator and founder of the Independent Leadership Council, has raised over 10 million dollars to support these non-partisan candidates. Key contests include the US Senate race in Nebraska, where independent Dan Osborn is a strong contender, and a Senate race in Montana featuring Seth Bodnar. In Maine, Rick Bennett is running as an independent for governor.

Polling indicates that independent voters lean toward Democrats, with many citing frustration with President Donald Trump as a primary motivator for their voting choices. The Republican Party entered the cycle having raised approximately 341 million dollars, while the Democratic Party raised nearly 252.3 million dollars.