Current polling indicates a significant gender gap, with women increasingly favouring Harris in the lead-up to the election.
An October Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that Harris leads Trump among female registered voters by a substantial margin of 50% to 38%, while Trump holds a narrower advantage among men, with 48% to Harris’s 41%.
In a notable poll from J. Ann Selzer for the Des Moines Register, Harris has surged ahead in Iowa, a state Trump won in both 2016 and 2020, driven largely by women voters aged 65 and over, who are supporting Harris by a two-to-one margin.
According to Democratic analytics firm TargetSmart, early voting data indicates strong enthusiasm among Democratic-leaning groups, particularly women. In contrast, there has been no comparable surge among young men, a demographic heavily targeted by Trump’s campaign efforts.
The gender gap: Women’s voices matter
Prominent figures like Liz Cheney have echoed the sentiment that women could decisively influence the election outcome. With a higher turnout among women than men, Trump’s campaign is adapting its outreach strategies.
The former president’s remarks have also drawn criticism, potentially alienating female voters.
For instance, Trump has controversially claimed he will protect women “whether the women like it or not,” while asserting that decisions regarding abortion should be left to individual states after the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe versus Wade.
Moreover, Trump’s rhetoric surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports has also become a flashpoint in his campaign. At a recent rally, he expressed his intent to keep transgender athletes out of women’s competitions, while supporters brandished “Women for Trump” signs.
In the context of generational divides, polling data reveals stark contrasts:
Gen Z men support Trump over Harris by 10 points (51% to 41%), while Gen Z women favour Harris by a remarkable 42 points (68% to 26%). Similarly, among baby boomer voters, women prefer Harris (52% to 43%) while men support Trump (57% to 39%).
Controversial statements and party tensions
The election atmosphere has been further complicated by inflammatory comments from party members.
Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance recently referred to Kamala Harris as “trash” following a supporter’s derogatory remark about Puerto Ricans, highlighting the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party regarding race and gender.
Amid these controversies, Trump has attempted to reassure women voters, arguing that a vote for Harris could lead to economic disaster.
He claimed, “You’re voting for the wrong person, and we’ll end up in a depression, and you’re not going to be safe,” in a bid to shift female voters’ perceptions.
With Kamala Harris galvanising support through her policies and inclusive messaging, and Donald Trump navigating a challenging gender gap exacerbated by controversial statements, the race remains closely watched.
Both candidates are making significant efforts to engage this crucial demographic, underscoring the increasing importance of women in shaping the future of American politics.
