Vote Independent Movement · Founded by Brian Bengs
The Vote Independent Movement exists to combat the growing insistence of both major political parties that their members mindlessly support party leadership. We believe voters should make their own fact-based decisions independent of those leaders.
We are not a registered political party. What we will become after the 2026 election will be decided in large part by the degree to which the two established political parties step away from their demands that we support their policies and their leaders no matter how strongly we may disagree with them or how wrong we believe their decisions to be.
The Independent Pledge
I pledge to consider every problem based on objective facts. I am not and will not be bound to automatically support the platform of, or the leaders of, any political party.
Founded by Brian Bengs
Brian Bengs founded Vote Independent Movement in 2026, during his independent campaign for U.S. Senate in South Dakota. Ngoc Thach directs it day to day.
This Vote Independent Movement is being started by me as a result of my experiences during my independent campaign for the United States Senate. I believe that my country has been plunged into a terribly misguided war that is costing all of us dearly, a mindless stampede for data centers and AI that will cost us even more dearly in the future, and that these and other grievous errors have been caused by the two major parties’ demands that their members follow party leadership no matter how misguided or wrong they believe it to be.
All across South Dakota when I express these views people agree. “What is the matter with them?” That is what I hear Democrats, Republicans and Independents say about today’s political leadership. The Vote Independent Movement exists to encourage everyone to look at the facts, not their party leaders, and to find their own truth. That is what I try to do, why I am running as an independent, and why I am founding this movement in hopes you may join me in pledging to do the same. Whether it is win, lose, or draw for me personally this November I hope and pray that the Vote Independent Movement will grow and prosper long after my campaign is gone.
/s/ Brian Bengs
Lt Col, USAF JAG Corps (Ret.)
Independent Candidate for United States Senate
What is VIM?
Deciding each vote on the facts, issue by issue and person by person, instead of by party label. It doesn't mean you have to vote for independent candidates like Brian Bengs, and the pledge doesn't commit you to any candidate.
What am I signing?
I pledge to consider every problem based on objective facts.
Look at the evidence first. Form your opinion second. That's it.
I am not and will not be bound to automatically support the platform of…
You can still agree with a party, often. You just don't owe it a yes before you've heard the details.
…or the leaders of, any political party.
Leaders earn your support one issue at a time, including leaders you like.
No.
Taking the pledge has nothing to do with how you're registered to vote. Keep any registration you have, in any party, or none.
An illustration, not a real form. The only thing that changes is a promise you make to yourself.
Take the pledge
I pledge to consider every problem based on objective facts. I am not and will not be bound to automatically support the platform of, or the leaders of, any political party.
It's on the record
You're one of people who have taken the Independent Pledge. Now show someone else they aren't alone.
Your pledgeI pledge to consider every problem based on objective facts. I am not and will not be bound to automatically support the platform of, or the leaders of, any political party.
Why this exists
Too much of politics runs on reflex. If the other team said it, it must be wrong. If our team said it, we defend it. Facts come last, if at all. That habit makes for worse decisions, and it pulls neighbors apart. The pledge flips the order.
This isn't a claim that both parties are the same. It's a commitment that neither one gets your loyalty automatically.
You aren't alone
Most people don't vote a straight line on every issue. They weigh things. The numbers show it.
of Americans called themselves political independents in 2025, a record high. That's more than identify as Democrats (27%) or Republicans (27%).1
active South Dakota voters is registered Independent or No Party Affiliation. That's 157,012 of 627,140 voters, more than are registered as Democrats.2
The pledge isn't only for registered independents. Plenty of Republicans and Democrats think for themselves too. They can take it without changing a thing about their registration.
A long time coming
Americans have been pulling away from automatic party loyalty for a long time. The pledge gives that instinct a name.
In his farewell address, George Washington warns of “the baneful effects of the spirit of party.”3
Nebraska seats the country's only one-house, nonpartisan legislature, approved by voters in 1934. Its champion, Sen. George Norris, won his last term as an independent.4,5
Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican, stands up to her own party's attacks made without evidence, in her “Declaration of Conscience.”6
In 2024, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Nebraska finished within single digits of a sitting senator. In 2026, independents are on U.S. Senate ballots across the Plains and Mountain West.7,8
A movement starts in South Dakota around one promise: look at the facts and think for yourself.
You are hereShare of Americans who call themselves independents, each year since 1988.1
Swipe the chart to see earlier years.
Every bar is one year of Gallup surveys. 2025 set a record at 45%, and the share has been 39% or higher every year since 2011.
Share who call themselves independents in 2025, by generation.1
The youngest are the most independent. But at every age, about a third or more already think this way.
Founding signers
The first people to take the Independent Pledge, in their own words. Different people describe the same promise in different ways, and that's the point.
I’m taking the pledge because I insist on putting people above politics and thinking for myself. No one should let a party tell them how to think on every issue or candidate.
Pure partisanship is self‑inflicted blindness. Independent thinking is freedom. No one should own your vote because of the letter behind their name. Putting people before labels is the foundation of ethical governance.
I’ve been an independent my entire life because my values have never fit neatly inside a party. I’d rather change my mind when the facts demand it than surrender it for the comfort of belonging.
Participate
If you want to do more than sign, there's room for that. No dues and no membership. Just people helping other people find the pledge.
It takes a minute, and it doesn't change your registration or party.
Take the PledgeSomeone who thinks for themselves and would want to know they aren't alone.
Link copied.
Talk with neighbors, share VIM online, or help at events. Tell us how you'd like to help.
VolunteerOptional, and separate from the pledge. You don't have to do both. Signing up here doesn't give us permission to feature you publicly.
Thank you
Someone from VIM will be in touch about ways to help. If you haven't taken the pledge yet, it's right here.
What happens after November 3?
VIM starts as a movement and a pledge. What it becomes next hasn't been decided, and this site won't pretend otherwise.
Phase 1 is simple: a shared commitment, and a count of who's made it.
Election Day shows whether this idea has real support. It's a milestone, not a finish line.
VIM could stay a movement, become an organization, or take another form. That hasn't been decided.
Straight answers
No. Keep any registration you have. The pledge has nothing to do with it.
No. It's open to everyone, whatever party you're in, or none.
No. The pledge doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote.
Deciding each vote on the facts, issue by issue and person by person, instead of by party label. It doesn't mean you have to vote for independent candidates like Brian Bengs.
No. Taking the pledge does not require a donation.
No. VIM is a movement, not a registered political party. What it becomes after this election hasn't been decided.
VIM is a project of Brian Bengs's independent campaign for U.S. Senate, and the campaign pays for it. Ngoc Thach directs it. Taking the pledge doesn't commit you to supporting Brian or any other candidate.
Yes. VIM was born in South Dakota, but anyone who thinks for themselves is welcome.
Only if you say so. Taking the pledge never makes your name public automatically. We will only publicly identify you as a signer if you give us permission.
Yes. You can volunteer, send the pledge to someone, or tell us why you signed. See ways to participate.
We use your name, email and state to count pledges. We email you only if you ask for updates, and you can unsubscribe anytime. Read the privacy policy.
That hasn't been decided. VIM starts as a movement and a pledge. Read more.
independent
You aren't alone, and you don't have to pick a team. Put your name to it, then show someone else.