Support for third political parties has dipped, but more than half of Americans still say a third party is needed, according to a new poll.
A Gallup poll released Tuesday found that 58% of Americans say that the two major parties “do such a poor job that a third major party is needed,” which is down from 63% in 2023.
Some 37% said the Republican and Democratic parties do an adequate job, down from 34% in 2023.
Members of an independent party were the most likely to say a third party is needed; the poll found that 69% want a third party.
The percentage of Democrats who say a third party is needed has increased from 46% to 53%. The highest percentage of Democratic support for a third party was 54% since Gallup first posed the question.
The percentage of Republicans who say a third party is needed has dropped from 58% to 48%. The highest percentage of GOP support for a third party was 63%, right after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Gallup started asking the question in 2003, which was the only time a clear majority, 56%, said a third party is not needed.
The poll was conducted Sept. 3-15 among 1,007 adults. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.