Gender Gap

The gender gap in voting refers to the difference in the percentage of women and the percentage of men voting for a given candidate. Learn more about the gender gap in recent and past elections from the Center for American Women and Politics’ fact sheets and analyses.

Fact Sheets
Gender Gap: Voting Choices In Presidential Elections
Lists percentages of women and men voting for presidential candidates 1980-2012. The gender gap in voting refers to the difference in the percentage of women and the percentage of men voting for a given candidate. A gender gap in voting for presidential candidates has been apparent in every election since 1980.

Gender Gap: Party Identification and Presidential Performance Ratings
Polling data from 1981-2014 on differences between men and women on party identification and presidential performance ratings, from Ronald Reagan through Barack Obama.

Gender Gap: Attitudes on Public Policy
Polling data from 2012 on differences between men and women on selected policy issues.

Previous Election Analyses
2012
Women’s Votes Decisive in 2012 Presidential Race
Women’s votes were decisive in Barack Obama’s victory, according to an analysis of exit poll data by the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers. The State University of New Jersey. A majority of women (55%) cast their ballots for President Barack Obama, while a majority of men (52%) voted for Governor Mitt Romney, according to Edison Research.

2008
Super Tuesday – Proportions of Men and Women Voting for Hillary Clinton
This CAWP fact sheet lists proportions of men and women voting for Hillary Clinton in primary states on super Tuesday, February 5, 2008.

Gender Gap Evident in the 2008 Election: Women, Unlike Men, Show Clear Preference for Obama over McCain
Women’s votes were a significant factor in Senator Barack Obama’s victory, with a sizable gender gap evident in the election results, according to an analysis of exit poll data by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

2004
The Gender Gap and the 2004 Women’s Vote: Setting the Record Straight
Media coverage this election season has featured a great deal of misinformation about the gender gap and women’s voting patterns. This advisory explains the gender gap issue, the women’s vote and provides some facts, both current and historical, on the gender gap and the women’s vote. 

The Gender Gap Persists in 2004 Election
The gender gap remained a notable factor in the 2004 presidential election, according to an analysis of exit poll data by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. This advisory gives the details.

The Gender Gap in 2004 Election Widespread
The gender gap is evident in almost all segments of the electorate. Across many different demographic categories, women less often than men voted for George W. Bush. This advisory provides a breakdown of the vote in various categories, e.g. race, age, marital status.

2000
Gender Gap in the 2000 Elections
Gender gaps among voters were evident in most of the races this year, including the presidential contest as well as Senate, House and gubernatorial elections.

1998
Gender Gap in the 1998 Elections

For data on the gender gap in non-presidential election years, visit CAWP’s website.