Never has the gender gap been so pronounced in an American election. With less than a week to go until the vote, American men and women voters seem more divided than ever. Vice President Kamala Harris struggles to win the trust of male voters, just as Donald Trump struggles to gain support from women.
Kamala Harris could very well become the first female president of the United States—and notably, the first Black and South Asian president—a prospect that does not thrill all male voters, including some Democrats. This campaign, which pits two fundamentally different candidates against each other, could redefine the role of women in American society, as the stakes are exceptionally high.
Men for Trump, Women for Harris
According to polls, 52% of men intend to vote for Donald Trump, while 40% support Kamala Harris. The trend reverses among women: 58% are prepared to vote for the Democratic candidate, compared to 37% for the Republican.
It’s not new for women to support the Democratic Party more than men. Since the 1980s, women have tended to vote Democratic more than men, and this political divide has only widened over time. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, women consistently turn out to vote at higher rates than men in every presidential election.
A poll by the New York Times and Siena College reveals that the gender gap has widened: while women maintain their longstanding support for Democrats, many men are turning to Donald Trump. The simple fact that Kamala Harris is a woman has led some former Biden voters to switch their allegiance to his opponent from 2020.
Kamala Harris Losing Support Among Black Voters
The Black vote, representing 11% of the electorate, is critical in this election. Since his race against Joe Biden in 2020, Donald Trump has gained 6% more support among Black Americans, bringing his approval to 15%. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has lost some traction in this demographic: 78% of Black voters now support her, down from the traditional 80% that typically back the Democratic Party, and Joe Biden’s 90% support in 2020. Among Black women, however, 90% still back the Democratic candidate. In the Hispanic community, 37% favor the Republican candidate, while 56% support Harris.
Trump’s Sexist Attacks and the Issue of Women’s Rights
Donald Trump’s personal attacks on women and the numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against him have alienated female voters. His repeated mockery of Harris’s laughter and intelligence has only solidified support among Democratic women. Masculinity is a central theme in Trump’s campaign, as he often denigrates women and normalizes misogyny. However, these sexist attacks seem to energize Harris’s supporters more than they deter them.
“Donald Trump is going to find out the power of women,” warned President Joe Biden, referencing the Supreme Court’s decision, shaped by Trump, to overturn the constitutional right to abortion.
A Youth Divide: Progressive Women, Conservative Men
An unprecedented gap is emerging among young voters, with young women leaning progressive and young men leaning conservative. Approximately 66% of women aged 18 to 39 are considering voting for Kamala Harris, according to an ABC/Ipsos poll from October 27, while only 32% back Trump. In contrast, 46% of men in the same age group plan to vote for the Democratic candidate, while 51% support Trump.
This trend can be partly explained by a marked progressive shift among young women, a shift not mirrored among young men. American young women have become significantly more liberal than their male counterparts since Trump’s election in 2016, according to a Gallup poll.
The ideological shifts among these young women to the left are influenced by several factors: the #MeToo movement in 2017, which brought attention to sexual violence and harassment, politically mobilized women, as did the overturning of Roe v. Wade, ending federal abortion rights. Their progressivism also reflects their views on the environment, gun regulation, and racial justice issues, Gallup notes.