Fewer people identify as Democrat than Republicans in latest poll

Elizabeth Vaughn:

Since 2004, Gallup has conducted a monthly party affiliation poll party. They ask voters, “In politics, as of today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat or an independent?” Results from a November 1-6, 2016 poll showed that 31% of voters identified as Democrats, 27% as Republicans and 36% as Independents. A recently conducted poll indicates a significant shift in those numbers. Currently, 27% of voters consider themselves to be Democrats, 29% as Republicans and 38% as Independents.

What to make of the 4% plus in those identifying as Democrats? Did half of these voters make the switch to the Republican column and the other half to the Independent column? That would account for the two point increase in those two categories.

Also, while there have been many fluctuations along the way, a glance at the number of those who identify as Democrats show those figures peaking between October 2018 and February/March 2019. The results ranged between 30 and 35 during those months. A major drop to 26% was seen following the release of the Mueller report and it has failed to recover.
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Probably the biggest mover causing this change was the Mueller Report which undermined the Russian collusion hoax combined with the radical swing to the left by the party from the Squad to the Democrat candidates for President.   Other polls have shown the bulk of the party was much more midstream than the candidates for the nomination.  It has been a long time since I have seen a poll showing more Republicans than Democrats.