Fact check: What percentage of California voters identify as independent or non-partisan?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, approximately 21.9% of California voters identify as independent or non-partisan ^[1]. These voters are also referred to as "decline to state" or "no party preference" voters in California's electoral system ^[1].

The data reveals that this percentage has actually declined from a higher point of 25.1% in 2020 ^[1], indicating a notable shift in voter registration patterns over recent years. This represents roughly two in ten California voters who choose not to affiliate with any political party ^[1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important temporal context that the analyses reveal. The decline from 25.1% in 2020 to 21.9% currently represents a significant trend that wasn't captured in the simple percentage request ^[1]. This 3.2 percentage point drop suggests changing political dynamics in California that merit consideration.

Additionally, the analyses indicate that multiple sources were consulted, but several did not contain relevant information about independent voter registration ^{[2] [3] [4]}. This suggests that while the 21.9% figure appears consistent across sources that do address the question, comprehensive data on California's independent voters may not be widely available or prominently featured in all electoral discussions.

The terminology used - "decline to state," "no party preference," and "independent" - represents the same voter category but may be referenced differently across various contexts ^[1].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation or bias, as it simply requests factual information about voter registration statistics. However, the question's framing could potentially lead to incomplete understanding if the temporal decline from 25.1% to 21.9% is not considered ^[1].

The straightforward nature of the question avoids political framing that might benefit particular parties or interest groups, though the declining percentage of independent voters could be significant for political strategists and parties seeking to understand California's evolving electoral landscape.