Final answer:
The correct answer is A) Independents; increased. More Americans now identify as independents than as members of the major parties, and their numbers have grown over the past two decades, with young voters being especially likely to shun partisan labels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the student's question is: A) Independents; increased. More Americans identify as independents than anything else, and their numbers have increased over the past two decades. According to Gallup and Pew Research, the number of self-identified independents has grown, particularly among younger Americans who are less likely to identify with a particular political party. While partisan support remains strong, with a large majority of voters leaning towards one of the major parties, the explicit identification with the Republican or Democratic parties has seen some fluctuation, especially with Republicans experiencing a slight decline in membership.
It is noted that despite a large portion of the population identifying as independents, many of these voters still tend to lean towards one of the major parties in their voting behavior. Furthermore, the political landscape has seen increasing polarization, with ideological divisions between Democrats and Republicans widening significantly over time. Figures indicate a noticeable shift toward more liberal views among young voters, particularly on social issues.