In a first, US independent turnout tops Democrats, ties Republicans, Edison Research says

A woman walks past signs encouraging people to vote for Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, US, October 31, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo

(Reuters) -Self-identified independents accounted for a larger share of voters in Tuesday's U.S. presidential election than Democrats and were tied with Republicans, Edison Research exit polling data showed.

It was the first time since Edison began exit polling in 2004 that independents' share of overall turnout has exceeded that of one of the two major U.S. political parties.