Oregon's youngest political party, the Independent Party of Oregon, continued its steady growth last month.

According to data released by the Oregon Secretary of State yesterday, which was formed in January, 2007, had 16,099 members at the end of March, an increase of 1677.

The party was the only political party to gain members in Oregon during March, with the exception of the Democratic Party, which added 25,000 members thanks largely to a competitive Presidential Primary election.

The Independent Party is the third largest political party in Oregon, representing approximately 1 percent of registered voters in Oregon.