---
title: "Percentage of Swing Voters Declines Compared to Four Years Ago"
description: "About one-in-four (23%) of registered voters today are swing voters, compared to 33% in 2008."
date: "2012-05-03"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2012/05/03/percentage-of-swing-voters-declines-compared-to-four-years-ago/"
---

# Percentage of Swing Voters Declines Compared to Four Years Ago

About a quarter (23%) of registered voters identify themselves as swing voters, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted April 4-15. A swing voter is someone who is undecided, orleans to or favors a candidate but says there is still a chance he or she will change their mind.

This is a significantly smaller swing vote than was the case at the end of the primary season four years ago. In June 2008, 33% of all registered voters, and fully 46% of independent voters, remained uncommitted.

Past surveys show this is not uncommon when an incumbent is up for reelection and voters feel they have a clearer sense of the options before them. In June 2004, just 21% of registered voters were swing voters, including only 28% of independents.

Many independents have yet to commit to either Obama or Romney. While 90% of independents express a preference, only 66% say they are certain about how they will vote. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2012/04/17/with-voters-focused-on-economy-obama-lead-narrows/?src-prc-number)