PORTLAND, Maine (AP)   The Maine House is making room for a growing number of lawmakers who have defected from the two major parties.

The House has the highest number of independent and third-party members in the last two decades, and several such lawmakers say they hope to maintain their individuality while gaining a stronger voice in political debates. The defections mean Democrats have lost their outright majority in the House for the first time in over a decade.

Five representatives and a tribal member have left the Republican or Democratic parties this year, with two registering as Maine Green Independents. Two current unenrolled House members ran as independents.

Legislative leaders recently approved a request to provide a room at the statehouse for the independent and third-party lawmakers, who plan to caucus regularly.