Final answer:
A person may register as an independent for several reasons including conflicting views with traditional parties, disagreement with the two-party system, and not wanting to affiliate with any specific party, with 'All of the above' being the correct response to the question.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person may choose to be registered as an independent for various reasons. Some individuals may have views that conflict with traditional party views or they may disagree with the two-party system in favor of more inclusive political participation. Others may simply not want to affiliate with a specific party, seeking to avoid the constraints of party ideology and maintain flexibility in their voting choices.
Additionally, with increasing partisanship and distrust in the political process, some prefer to engage with the political system on an issue-by-issue basis, rather than through party alignment. Therefore, option 4, 'All of the above are reasons why people choose to be unaffiliated/independent,' is the correct answer to the question as it encompasses all the given reasons why someone might register as an independent.
Engagement with political parties and the act of voting is a dynamic process. Individuals' affiliations can change over time, and young Americans are particularly likely to register as Independents rather than with traditional political parties, reflecting a broader trend of disaffection with partisan politics and a focus on specific issues, such as same-sex marriage.
It's clear that the choice to remain unaffiliated with any political party is a complex decision, made by weighing personal beliefs, the state of the political system, and considerations about how to best effect change in the government.