The Context
The number of Americans who identify as politically independent has dramatically increased over the past several years. Gallup Polling suggests 45% of Americans identify as independent of the two major parties. In Pennsylvania, non-Democratic and Republican voter registrations have continued to rise in recent years. Over one million Pennsylvania voters identify with neither of the two major parties.
Given their coveted political sway, Pennsylvania’s independent voters remain of high perennial interest among political candidates, analysts, and journalists. Our Commonwealth’s “purple” swing status draws attention for the diverse perspectives held by our voters—which go far beyond Wawa and Sheetz.
All that makes independent Pennsylvania voters–defined broadly as those who do not identify with the major political parties–more important to understand. While the pundits and pollsters categorize their viewpoints with broad narratives, the reality about them is more complicated.
Independent Pennsylvanians was created to examine those perspectives.
Independent Pennsylvanians
Independent Pennsylvanians is a nonpartisan civic journalism project, shedding light on the perspectives of independent-minded voters across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The project seeks to inform readers through reporting profiles that place their perspectives in context. We do not endorse candidates.
Independent Pennsylvanians was founded in 2002 as a grassroots organization meant to create a space for independent-minded voters in Pennsylvania. The organization was led by Jennifer Bullock and Stephen Bouikidis.
In September 2025, Independent Pennsylvanians evolved into a journalism-oriented project, with a focus on reporting. Harry Patton Hou serves as Managing Editor.
Editorial Approach
Our reporting begins with listening. Every profile is based on at least one conversational interview. We prioritize representing each person’s perspective with accuracy while maintaining independent editorial judgment.
Independents can be difficult to categorize. Given their ideological and policy differences, the views expressed in profiles belong solely to the individuals interviewed and do not necessarily reflect the views of other independents or the Managing Editor.
Contact
Harry Patton Hou is Independent Pennsylvanian’s Managing Editor. For general inquiries and questions, please email harry[at]paindependents.com.