---
"title": "Three’s a Crowd?"
"description": "A majority of voters want a third political party."
"date": "2008-07-29"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2008/07/29/threes-a-crowd/"
---

# Three’s a Crowd?

A majority of voters (56%) say the country should have a third major political party in addition to the Democrats and Republicans, while 39% say it should not. Voters were split on a third party four years ago. Not surprisingly, independents (72%) are much more supportive of a third party than are Republicans (53%) or Democrats (47%). Young voters (65%) are also strong backers of a third party. [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/893/obama-mccain-july)