A Gallup poll found that for the first time in three decades, more voters identify with the Republican Party.
Republicans have not previously had an advantage in party affiliation during the third quarter of a presidential election year, Gallup explained.
The poll’s results found that 48% of American voters are either Republican or lean Republican, while 45% are Democrat or lean Democrat.
46% of voters believe the GOP is better able to handle important issues, such as economic matters and immigration. 50% of voters believe the Republican Party is better able to keep the United States prosperous, compared to 44% of voters who believe the Democrats will allow the nation to flourish.
The poll is significant as Democrats have led in party affiliation for years – except for 2004, according to Gallup.
“Party affiliation and voting are strongly predictive of individuals’ vote choices, with the vast majority of identifiers and leaners voting for the candidate of their preferred party. At the aggregate level, there are typically more Democrats and Democratic leaners than Republicans and Republican leaners in the U.S. adult population,” Gallup wrote.
“Democrats have won presidential elections in years in which they had larger-than-normal advantages in party affiliation, including 1992, 1996, 2008, 2012 and 2020. In years when the advantage was narrower — 2004 and 2016, for example — Republicans won in the electoral college if not also the popular vote.”