The number of voters who identify as independents has grown significantly over the last two presidential races, making them a coveted voter bloc with outsized influence on the next election cycle.

Voters between the ages of 18 and 44 made up 42% of the entire electorate during the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, comprising a larger voting population than those older than 65 years, according to polling conducted by the Bullfinch Group and FreedomWorks. A majority of that demographic identifies themselves as political centrists, expressing high favorability for candidates who are either unaffiliated with either major party or can efficiently work with both sides of the aisle.

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“In every toss-up state, ‘Independent/Other’ voter registration is up compared to 2020,” said Bullfinch CEO Brett Loyd. “And that is what this election is going to come down to: Which party can win over the middle in the battleground states?”

Among these independent voters, nearly half (47%) say they don’t want President Joe Biden to run for a second term, with even more (50%) noting they don’t want former President Donald Trump to be reelected either, the polling shows. Those numbers open a possible pathway for an alternative ticket as a majority of independents (54%) say they’d back a viable third-party candidate compared to just 25% who say otherwise.

The fight over independent support is poised to be a fair game as polling shows a plurality of the electorate hovers in the middle of the political spectrum rather than leaning one way or the other. Roughly 29% of independents describe themselves as moderate compared to only 22% who say they’re “very liberal” and 19% who say they’re “very conservative,” according to the polling.

Another 11% identify themselves as being “somewhat liberal” compared to 13% who say they’re “somewhat conservative,” giving both parties a nearly equal chance to attract independents.

The polling comes as widespread interest has emerged for a third-party candidate in the 2024 presidential election, especially as voters brace for a possible Biden-Trump rematch. Several groups such as the nonpartisan No Labels are pushing for ballot access in several states, citing polls that show support for a third-party candidate.

“Why are a record number of voters identifying as independent? Simple: In a time of rampant partisanship hampering real progress on challenges ranging from our exploding national debt to a broken immigration system, voters aren’t liking what the two parties are selling,” Ryan Clancy, chief strategist for No Labels, told the Washington Examiner. “Now we’re seeing that reflected in the consistent lack of enthusiasm for the two likely nominees in next year’s election.”

“Never in our nation’s history has there been such a strong desire for more options at the ballot box,” he added. “Should the public continue to want an additional choice on Election Day in 2024, No Labels will stand by ready and willing to offer our ballot line to a Unity ticket dedicated to tackling the problems facing our country that neither party seems willing to address.”

It’s not yet clear who the group would tap as its nominees, but the group plans to hold a nominating convention in April should it move forward with plans for a third-party ticket. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has emerged as a top contender for the ticket, with the West Virginia Democrat repeatedly telling reporters he has not decided whether he’ll run for reelection or seek higher office.

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However, Loyd warned that although polling shows interest in a third-party candidate, that doesn’t necessarily mean an alternative ticket would win.

“What I’m saying though is having a viable third-party candidate is something that they want much more than Biden or Trump,” he said.