Party identification is often considered the most important concept in modern electoral research—yet Americans’ party ties have eroded. Today, independents comprise the largest portion of voters, outnumbering either Democrats or Republicans. This book sheds new light on the dealignment trend with the emergence of a new apartisan independent. Utilizing 60 years of electoral surveys, Dalton’s friendly and concise book shows students just how these apartisans are introducing new volatility into electoral politics, changing the calculus of electoral decision making, and altering the behavior of political parties. Understanding these apartisans is a key to understanding the 2012 election as well as party and electoral politics into the future.