Historians and political pundits have indicated this will likely be the most consequential presidential election of our lifetime.  Additionally, women are expected to have a significant impact on the outcome.

This was not always the case.  Women were given the right to vote in 1920 when the 19^th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified but until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed many women were unable to vote due to poll taxes and literacy tests.  In fact, women did not turn out to the polls in the same numbers as men until 1980.   Since that time a higher proportion of women vote in presidential elections than men.

A myth about woman voters early on was that women’s votes tracked those of their husbands, but that has proven to be false.  Women tend to vote more Democratic than men who tend to vote more Republican.  This is generally attributed to the issues emphasized by the parties, with Democrats addressing more family-oriented programs while Republicans focus more on budgetary and foreign affairs.   Differences in gender socialization and real-world experiences also have an impact.  The largest gap appears among black Americans: Black women voted six percentage points higher than black men in 1984, widening their lead to 9 percentage points in 2016.

In recent presidential election, this gap was demonstrated in 1980 when men preferred Ronald Reagan over women by eight points and in 2016 by women preferring Hilary Clinton by 13 points over men voters.  Women are also more inclined to support women candidates than men, but they do not vote for women just because of gender.  Other factors influence their votes such as policy issues and political party.   In a study conducted in 2018 matching hypothetical candidates (one man and one woman) against each other, women chose the female candidate by 20 points over the men.

In early 2024 polling for the presidential race women did not express much enthusiasm for the choices presented by both parties.  However, with Biden dropping out of the race and Kamala Harris replacing him, woman have expressed a new motivation (64%) to vote in 2024.  Democratic women indicate most of their motivation stems from a feeling that Harris is in a better position to beat Trump.  Republican women are also more motivated but they indicate it is because they see Harris as a bigger threat to their candidate than Biden.

Voting has already started in a number of states. Only in democracies do the citizens elect their leaders through free and fair elections.  Please honor this precious right by showing up at the polls or mailing in your ballot this election year.

Sources:

• Piscopo, Jennifer, How Women Vote:  Separating Myth From Reality, Smithsonian Magazine, Oct. 6,2020.
• Wikipedia
• Report:  Women Voters by the Numbers, League of Women Voters Blog, May 2, 2024
• KFF Survey of Women Voters, 2024

Cathy Cotleur has a Master of Science in Management and a PhD in Marketing from George Washington University. She was a professor of Marketing at Frostburg State University for 33 years. She truly believes that when women come together, they are stronger, happier and healthier.