Non-partisan vs. Independent

Question

Is there a difference between registering to vote as a non-partisan versus registering to vote as an independent?

Answer 1

Wouldn't think so.  Either way, you don't claim membership to a political party.  

Answer 2

Voter registration rules vary from state to state, so you need to ask around locally for a definitive answer.  "Independent" is one of those ambiguous words that to understand you need to know the context.  There used to be a political party called "The Independent Party" and so registering as an independent was not the same as non-partisan, but I'm not sure if it's still around.  In common parlance, independent means not affiliated with any particular party.