As we approach 2016, and an extraordinary Presidential election, every American will be faced with making decisions about where they stand on a variety of issues. However, this pending election will see politicians, lobbyists and activists targeting younger generations in new ways. Primarily because the growing voter blocks of young to middle aged Americans are exercising a freedom of thought and freedom of political identity in unprecedented ways.
Despite our deep roots as a two-party system, the number of registered Independents now surpasses both Republicans and Democrats. According to 2014 Pew Research Center data, 39% of us identify as Independent, 32% as Democrats and 23% as Republicans, with that 39% being the highest in history. A Gallup poll in the same year contends that as many as 46% of Americans label themselves as Independent, citing growing disappointment in Congress, little trust in government and flawed legislative practices like those surrounding the Affordable Care Act.