The state of Iowa is known for having a large number of independent voters. It is one of the qualities Iowa has that brings many different political candidates to speak in Iowa. In an ideal world, a swing voter would be familiar with both both Democrat and Republican issues. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

A study shows that roughly 33 percent, about one-third of voters, are independents, meaning they do not belong to a political party. Independents pay less attention to politics, according to a study done by George Hawley, assistant professor of political science at the University of Alabama.

Putting two and two together, if 33 percent of voters in Iowa are independents and are paying less attention to politics than those involved in a political party, that means that one-third of our state’s voters are less educated in politics than the other two-thirds. One-third of voters is a lot of people. Iowans are not inherently unintelligent, and independent voters are not dumb people, so why is it that they are considered to be less informed than voters that belong to a political party?

A 2012 study done by the Pew Research Center asked Democrats, Republicans and Independents to name symbols, policy positions and people labeled with specific parties. In terms of getting correct answers, Independents came in dead last.

During presidential elections, Iowa’s caucuses are the first vote taken and therefore the initial indicator of how the nation will lean for electing the next leader of our nation. That reason by itself should be enough motivation for every Iowan to be as politically informed as possible, let alone the fact that the people we elect in every other election will inevitably have a role in deciding how life is lived in our state.

The reason could very well be that they are less likely to learn all that they can because they are less politically motivated. A voter who knows precisely which political side of an issue on which they stand is obviously more likely to support a candidate that agrees with their views. However, an independent voter may have their beliefs spread between the two potential candidates, making their voting decision more difficult.

Independents should be the most knowledgeable voters. Iowa has no reason for not being the most politically educated state. With such a large number of swing voters, we have the ability, especially in Iowa elections, to completely change the outcome of an election.

It is assumed that registered Democrats are going to vote for the Democratic candidate, while the Republican voter will vote for the Republican candidate. Independent voters are considered wild cards and that is what makes Iowa such a hotspot for political candidates to visit. Independent votes matter, and they should be informed votes.

We are lucky enough to live in a country where we get to vote for our government officials. We get to make decisions in the primaries and the final elections. We get to choose who will represent us. There is no reason to remain uneducated about who these people are any longer. Knowing what each candidate has to offer can not only help us make stronger political decisions, but also perhaps help independent voters find the political platforms with which they most strongly associate themselves.

The time for the independent voter being the “dumb voter” is over. Independent voters have too much weighing on them to stop paying attention to politics. Learn both platforms so that you are proud of the decision you make on the ballot. Iowa is a great power in the political world. Why waste that power? Educate yourself on political platforms and give Iowa’s independent voters the name they deserve — the people who know the most about politics.