6 facts about U.S. political independents
Partisan divides in America are as wide as they’ve ever been in the modern political era. But what about those who identify as independents?
Publications
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Majority of Public Favors Same-Sex Marriage, but Divisions Persist
A majority of Americans (61%) favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally, while about half as many (31%) oppose same-sex marriage. Republicans and Democrats remain deeply divided over legal marriage for gays and lesbians – though support has increased significantly in both parties over the past 15 years.
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Attitudes on Same-Sex Marriage
In Pew Research Center polling in 2001, Americans opposed same-sex marriage by a margin of 57% to 35%. Since then, support for same-sex marriage has steadily grown.
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Despite global concerns about democracy, more than half of countries are democratic
As of the end of 2017, 57% of 167 countries with populations of at least 500,000 were democracies of some kind, and only 13% were autocracies.
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Misinformation and fears about its impact are pervasive in 11 emerging economies
Many social media users in 11 emerging countries report being regularly exposed to misinformation when using the platforms.
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Publics in Emerging Economies Worry Social Media Sow Division, Even as They Offer New Chances for Political Engagement
Many who use social media say they regularly see false or misleading content, but also view these platforms as offering new avenues for political engagement.
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It’s more common for white, older, more-educated Americans to have spoken with local journalists
Overall, about two-in-ten Americans say they have ever spoken with or been interviewed by a local journalist.
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When Online Survey Respondents Only ‘Select Some That Apply’
when designing an online survey questionnaire, there is more than one way to ask a respondent to select which options in a series applies to them.
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When should a woman have children if she’s thinking about running for office?
Roughly half of Americans say it’s better for a woman who wants to reach high political office to have children before entering politics. Views are different when it comes to leadership positions in the business world.
