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The political middle are up for grabs

According to the Pew Research Study more than half of Americans don't identify with a political party.
A bilingual sign stands outside a polling center at public library ahead of local elections on April 28, 2013 in Austin, Texas.
A bilingual sign stands outside a polling center at public library ahead of local elections on April 28, 2013 in Austin, Texas.

November elections are only 14 weeks away, meaning the time to close in on voters is heating up.

But it isn’t looking good for either the Democratic or Republican parties right now, according to a new Pew Research Study. According to the study, only 42% identify with one of the parties, leaving 57% up for grabs.

This undecided chunk has become a priority for both parties. “The political landscape includes a center that is large and diverse, unified by frustration with politics and little else. As a result, both parties face formidable challenges in reaching beyond their bases to appeal to the middle of the electorate and build sustainable coalitions.”

The biggest struggle to win the hearts and minds of these “fragmented” center voters is their diverse ideals and a lack of political engagement—compared to those who identify Republican or Democrat--that could make it difficult to win their votes.

These results should come as no surprise at all for Democrats and Republicans as earlier in the year a Gallup poll stated that 42% of Americans did not align with a political party. This November, as Democrats attempt to take back the House while Republicans strive to keep their majority, the political middle mass will surely be the deciding factor.