Excerpt:
Despite regaining a slim edge in party affiliation, the Democratic Party is suffering record low favorability ratings. As both major parties falter in trust and appeal, the Green Party is increasingly seen as a credible alternative by voters disillusioned with the status quo.
America’s two-party duopoly is straining. Recent polling reveals that while Democrats have edged ahead in party affiliation, their reputation among both independents and core identifiers is weaker than ever. In that vacuum, third parties—especially the Green Party—are gaining attention. What do the numbers say? And what could this mean for American politics?
“Lowest Ever Favorability” — The Democratic Party’s Decline
Recent Gallup data shows:
- Only 34% of U.S. adults now view the Democratic Party favorably, the lowest measured since Gallup began tracking these trends in 1992. That edges out a previous low of 36% in November 2014.¹
- The Republican Party is barely ahead at 38% favorability—also quite weak historically.¹
- Among Democrats themselves, only 73% hold a positive view of their own party. That’s a sharp drop from 87% in November (prior reading) and far below their average (~88%) over the past two decades.¹
- Independents are especially sour on both major parties: the Democratic Party gets about 27% favorable among independents; Republicans, about 28%.¹
“The Democratic Party’s image is at an all-time low.”¹
Despite these image problems, more Americans say they lean toward the Democrats than Republicans—46% vs. 43% in the second quarter of 2025. This shift is driven not by new converts among core Democrats, but by independents leaning Democratic.¹
Party Affiliation vs. Party Performance
The rising affiliation with Democrats doesn’t appear to stem from perceptions of competence. Polling finds:
- 35% believe Democrats can manage the federal government effectively; 36% think Republicans can.¹
- When it comes to bringing about needed change, 42% believe Republicans are more capable vs. 37% for Democrats.¹
- On ethics and putting country above politics, Democrats slightly outscore Republicans—39% believe Democrats in Congress are mostly honest/ethical, and 36% believe the party puts the country’s interest first; for Republicans the numbers are ~31%.¹
So while Democrats are getting more identifiers and leaners, the public doesn’t necessarily trust them to deliver in many key areas.
Weakness of the Two-Party System & Green Party Opportunity
Here’s where third parties, and especially the Green Party, gain potential.
- A Gallup survey finds 63% of U.S. adults agree that the two major parties “do such a poor job” representing Americans that “a third major party is needed.” That’s the highest since Gallup began asking the question in 2003.²
- In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, third-party and independent candidates got 2.13% of the vote—more than in 2020 (1.86%). The Green Party’s Jill Stein led that pack with about 0.56% of the total vote.³
These aren’t huge numbers yet, but they suggest rising dissatisfaction with the current major parties and growing openness to alternatives.
The Green Party: Current Strengths & Challenges
What we know about the Greens:
- The Green Party promotes a platform of environmentalism, social justice, participatory democracy, nonviolence, and anti-war policies.⁴
- In states like California, the Green Party has tens of thousands of registered members; in California’s case, ~97,253 registered as of early 2023 (~0.44% of registered voters in that state).⁵
- The party holds office in a scattering of municipal and local positions; in California, for example, Greens are mayors or council members in small towns, and have several “other elected officials.”⁵
Challenges:
- Ballot access remains difficult in many places.
- Media coverage is limited compared to Democrats or Republicans.
- Third-party candidates often poll higher early, but their numbers tend to fall before the election.⁶
Why This Moment Seems Different
Several trends suggest this is more than just standard dissatisfaction:
- Record lows for major parties’ favorability, especially for Democrats. That lowers the barrier for alternatives.
- Independent/leaners are shifting, not core identifiers; this means fluidity in voter attachment.
- Third parties are seen by a majority as needed to fix representation deficits.
Together, this makes for an opening: people are unhappy, disillusioned, and looking for credible alternatives.
What the Rise of Greens Could Mean in Practice
If the Green Party can leverage this moment:
- It might expand its registered base in states where environmental issues, anti-war sentiment, or social justice have strong local resonance.
- Could influence policy platforms of Democrats (and even Republicans) who no longer view Greens as fringe. Major parties might co-opt progressive or green issues.
- Greens may act as a spoiler in tight races—but more constructively, they may force issue focus, coalition building, and demand higher standards of accountability.
But they still face steep obstacles, including electoral rules (first-past-the-post), money, and political inertia.
Relating This to Dearborn Blog Values
At Dearborn Blog, we believe in justice, in environmental responsibility, and in speaking truth even when it’s uncomfortable. The decline of the Democratic Party in terms of favorability doesn’t necessarily make Greens winners overnight—but it opens space for voices like ours: pro-Green platform, pro-Palestine, for social justice, democracy, and peace.
We affirm that:
- When major parties fail to protect human rights, including in Palestine, when environmental crises are ignored or sidelined, or when anti-war voices are marginalized, citizens are right to seek alternatives.
- A thriving Green Party, rooted in values rather than corporate influence, offers hope—not just for electoral wins, but for shifting political culture toward ethics, accountability, and compassion.
Key Figures
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Democratic Party favorability (Gallup) | 34% (record low)¹ |
| Republican Party favorability | ~38%¹ |
| Independents favorable toward Democrats | ~27%¹ |
| Independents favorable toward Republicans | ~28%¹ |
| Share believing we need a third major party | 63%² |
| Third-party/independent vote share in 2024 | 2.13%³ |
| Green Party’s 2024 presidential vote share (Jill Stein) | ~0.56%³ |
| Registered Green voters in California | ~97,253 (~0.44%)⁵ |
Conclusion
The Democratic Party is regaining a numerical edge in party affiliation, but image, trust, and perceived effectiveness are historically weak. Meanwhile, many Americans are convinced that the two-party system isn’t delivering. The Green Party, with its core values and grassroots orientation, is better positioned than ever to grow—not just as a protest vote, but as a genuine political force.
Dearborn Blog sees in this moment the possibility of transformation: of aligning politics with justice, of elevating voices speaking for Palestine, for climate justice, for peace. The political system is crying out for alternatives; may the Green Party, and others like it, rise to fill that need with integrity and hope.
Sources
- Gallup poll data on party affiliation, favorability, and perceptions of competence, change, ethics. “Democrats Regain Advantage … Favorability falls …” by Jeffrey M. Jones. Gallup. 2025.
- Gallup: Support for a third major party at highest level in two decades. “Support third party.” 2023.
- Third-party and independent candidates’ vote share in the 2024 U.S. presidential election; Jill Stein’s share. Wikipedia / official election data.
- Green Party of the United States – platform values (environment, justice, anti-war, etc.). Wikipedia / GPUS sources.
- Green Party registration and elected-office data in California. State of California Secretary of State, Greens in Office info.
- Pew Research Center: Third-party/independent candidates often fall short of early polling numbers; “Third-party or independent candidates often fall short …” 2024.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. The data cited are drawn from public polling, reports, and verified sources at the time of writing. Dearborn Blog does not guarantee its completeness or that all views are represented. Any projections or implications are speculative and should not be construed as predictions. Readers should conduct their own research and consider multiple perspectives.
Dearborn Blog 