Leading up to the 2024 election, there were expectations of a significant gender gap in the results. It was anticipated that women would heavily support Harris while men would lean towards Trump.
The gender gap widened in the 2022 midterm elections due to heightened concerns about reproductive rights following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. This trend was further fueled by the current presidential matchup between Vice President Harris and Donald Trump, who is viewed unfavorably by women.
According to a statement from Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy, there is a noticeable gap in Michigan and Wisconsin between women supporting Harris and men supporting Trump. The outcome of the election will depend on voter turnout.
Despite predictions of a historic gender divide, exit polls revealed a similar gap in how men and women voted compared to previous elections. The CNN exit poll showed a 10-point gender gap between men and women voting for Harris and Trump.
While there is indeed a gap in candidate preference between men and women, these numbers are not unprecedented. In previous elections, a similar gender gap was observed.
The campaigns of both parties sent out gendered messages, with the Harris team airing ads targeting working-class men and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance making controversial statements. However, these strategies did not significantly impact existing gender gaps.
