In the United States, about 24 million registered voters identify themselves as independents or unaffiliated. Around 1.7 million live in North Carolina.
In 2008, they helped Democrats put Barack Obama into the White House. Then in 2010, they backed Republicans, giving them control in the U.S. House.
Jacqueline Salit is president of Independent Voters-dot-org based in New York City. And says she's voted as an independent for 30 years. Salit is also the author of the book, Independents Rising: Outside Movements, Third Parties and the Struggle for a Post-Partisan America. She's speaking about it October 30, Tuesday at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She along with UNCG associate professor of Independent Politics Dr. Omar Ali will lead a discussion in the School of Education Auditorium (Room 120) at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, October 31, Salit will speak at High Point University in Phillips 101. That event begins at 5:30 p.m.
Earlier, Salit spoke with WFDD's Kathryn Mobley and explained while independents have no party allegiance, they do have an objective.