A survey by Rasmussen Reports of 15,000 adults shows that the number of people identifying themselves as independents has increased to an all time high of 31.5% in March. 37.2% identified themselves as Democrats while 31.7% identified themselves as Republicans.
The percentage of people identifying themselves as Democrats has changed little in the last few years while the percentage of Republicans has declined. In November, 2004, 38.8% identified themselves as Democrats, 37.1% identified themselves as Republican, and 24.3% identified themselves as independents.
Independents now make up roughly the same proporition of the electorate as Republicans. The significance for Greens is that they have been making inroads into the independent vote in recent elections. In our two best showings in 2006–Illinois and Maine–Green Party candidates for governor ran competative races with the Democrat and Republican candidates among independent voters.
The Rasmussen poll seems to indicate that the electoral ground continues to grow more fertile for Green candidates.