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Many Americans identify themselves as political independents who vote on the basis of issues and candidates, rather than party affiliation. Linda Killian argues that these independent and swing voters are “the centrist voters who decide elections and represent more voters than those at the conservative and liberal ends of the spectrum.” In 2010, self‐​identified independents swung sharply against the Obama administration and handed the House of Representatives to the Republicans. Nonetheless, given our polarized politics, it is no surprise that these independents, who are “fiscally conservative and socially tolerant,” as David Kirby also noted in his papers on “the libertarian vote,” might feel overlooked and ignored. How will independents affect the 2012 election? Please join us for an uncommon look at the American electorate.