The largest bloc of voters in Greenwich does not belong to either party. Republicans and Democrats are essentially tied — each just over 29 percent — while voters registered outside the two major parties have climbed to 41.8 percent. Statewide, unaffiliated voters are already the biggest registration group. Nationally, the two parties together have fallen below 65 percent of registrants for the first time in at least 90 years. Neither party can win on its base alone. Here is what that shift means, and why Greenwich Republicans should be talking to neighbors who refuse party affiliation.
For decades, the share of registered voters affiliated with either major political party has been declining—in the United States, in Connecticut, and in Greenwich.
The trend is significant. Earlier this year, Ballot Access News reported that, among states reporting voter registration by party, Democrats and Republicans together accounted for 64.8% of registrations—below 65% for the first time in at least 90 years.
Connecticut reflects the same broader pattern. According to the CT Mirror, unaffiliated voters now constitute the state’s largest registration group, accounting for 41.5% of active voters. Democrats account for approximately 35%, Republicans 21%, and unaffiliated/ minor parties the remainder.
Parity in the Number of Republicans and Democrats
But a Larger and Growing Number of Unaffiliateds
The Greenwich Registrars of Voters has prepared the following registration figures:
Active registered voters, Greenwich. Source: Greenwich Registrars of Voters. October 1, 2026.
These numbers reveal two important changes.
First, Republicans historically outnumbered Democrats in Greenwich, but Democratic registrations overtook Republican registrations in 2021. More recently, the two parties have been nearly even, each accounting for slightly more than 29% of registered voters.
Second, over the period shown, the share of voters registered outside the two major parties—including both unaffiliated and minor-party voters—grew from 38.7% to 41.8%. For a longtime party member, that declining attachment to the major parties is troubling.
There is probably no single explanation for why so many voters choose not to affiliate with either major party.
For younger (or older) voters who have never identified as a Republican or a Democrat, one possible factor is the broader decline in civic participation and institutional attachment documented by Robert Putnam in Bowling Alone. His work does not directly explain voter registration choices, but it may provide context for weakening ties to traditional institutions.
A different explanation may apply to voters who once identified with a major party but later became unaffiliated. In his Free Agent Politics newsletter , John Halpin has reviewed research linking movement away from party identification to declining approval of one’s preferred party, its leading candidates, and its policy positions. (For nerds: Independent research underlying Halpin's column)
Becoming unaffiliated, therefore, does not necessarily mean adopting the views of the opposing party. It may instead reflect dissatisfaction with one’s former party, its candidates, or some of its positions.
What the Changing Electorate Means
Neither major party can rely on its registered voters alone.
Unaffiliated voters are a diverse group with differing views and priorities. Alongside policy positions, some may place varying weight on a candidate’s temperament, competence, and willingness to work with others.
In Greenwich, practical concerns can be especially important. Taxes, schools, housing, public safety, infrastructure, and municipal services affect residents directly. Voters may judge candidates by the tangible consequences of their proposals and their ability to make government work effectively.
Greenwich Republicans have an opportunity to earn broader support by addressing these concerns clearly and listening carefully. Speak with your unaffiliated friends. You may find more common ground than you expect. And encourage them to vote with you.
