Why are independent leaners grouped with the party they lean towards?

Independent leaners are often grouped with the party they lean towards primarily due to their voting practices. This categorization reflects the tendency of these individuals to vote for candidates from the party they identify with, even though they may not be formally registered as members of that party. This behavior indicates a level of partisan alignment that is significant for understanding electoral outcomes, as independent leaners can influence election results just like traditional party members.

Polling and research often demonstrate that those who identify as leaning towards a particular party will generally support that party's candidates more consistently than they would support candidates from other parties. Thus, analyzing them alongside the party they lean toward provides a clearer picture of electoral dynamics, party strength, and voter behavior.