Polls Concerning Party Identification Might Lead a Political Scientist Trying

Polls concerning party identification might lead a political scientist trying to understand voter behavior to believe that the increase in the percentage of people claiming to be independent is because of what?

A) the rise in the number of minor parties offering alternatives
B) the decline of the parties because they have become less well-organized
C) the decline in the economy, since people become less political during such times
D) the incivility and ineffectiveness in government because of intense partisanship
E) the ineffectiveness of the parties in campaigning because of lack of funds