I’m sure this is a dumb question, but is the AIP different than just being registered ‘independent’?
It is different. Especially in California, where you can register as an AIP voter.
However, in most states you can't register AIP at the moment.
Two things are important to remember about the way the new party is being set up, though:
1. We don't care much which party you're registered with. We care about whether you agree with America's founding principles.
2. America's Independent Party will be endorsing candidates based on those principles, not on mere party labels.
By the way, I’m registered as an independent in my home state. Gave up my Republican registration some months ago.