Half of US wants a new political party

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CHART 1 • Half of US wants a new political party

The American two-party system is facing its biggest legitimacy crisis in decades. Fresh Gallup data shows 58% of Americans today think a major third party is needed, holding near historic highs even after the dust settled from the 2024 election.

The desire for alternatives has been building for years, with support for a third party reaching a new high last year. What's fascinating is the partisan breakdown: Political independents are the most likely party subgroup to favor a third party, as they have been in the past, with 69% expressing support. Meanwhile, Democrats' support has increased from 46% last year to 53% now, while Republicans' support has dropped from 58% to 48%.

The timing couldn't be more explosive with Elon Musk announcing that he has started "the America Party". However, the last time a third-party candidate carried any states in a presidential race was George Wallace in 1968, while the last third-party candidate to finish runner-up or greater was former president Teddy Roosevelt's 2nd-place finish on the Bull Moose Party ticket in 1912.

Source: Chartr

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