“What happens in the voting booth stays in the voting booth.” As the presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris nears its end, a new ad aired during the campaign features a woman who secretly votes for the Democratic candidate, unbeknownst to her Republican husband. This 30-second commercial, narrated by Julia Roberts, has sparked controversial reactions from the Republican side, particularly from Donald Trump.
“Your husbands don’t need to know”
In the ad, a couple enters a voting booth together. They both wear caps with patriotic symbols, suggesting they are Republican voters. While the husband assumes his wife shares his political views, she, hidden behind the voting screen, checks the box for “Kamala Harris” after exchanging a knowing glance with another woman nearby. The implication is clear: the Democratic candidate is the only one who truly supports women’s rights. Julia Roberts’ voice-over says, “No one will ever know.” The husband then asks, “Did you make the right choice?” and the wife responds, “Of course, honey.”
The secret ballot: liberating voters from social pressure
“If you’re a woman living with men who don’t listen to you or don’t value your opinion, remember that your vote is your private matter. No matter your partner’s political views, the choice is yours,” said former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman who has supported Harris, has openly emphasized the importance of the secret ballot. She remarked, “There will be a number of women and men who will go to the polls, vote with their conscience, and vote for Vice President Harris. They will never say it publicly, but the results will speak for themselves.”
The group behind the ad did not stop there and aired another spot. In this version, a male voter secretly chooses Kamala Harris without telling his Republican friends, this time with George Clooney as the narrator. By emphasizing the freedom of individual choice and women’s independence from societal expectations, Kamala Harris’ campaign hopes to appeal to discreet but decisive voters in a race where every vote counts.
“Can you imagine a woman not telling her husband who she’s voting for?”
This message, which relies on the right to a secret ballot, has sparked reactions from the Republican camp, particularly from Donald Trump, who called the ad “stupid” and exclaimed, “Can you imagine a woman not telling her husband who she’s voting for?”
A prominent Fox News host, a network favored by conservatives, compared the scenario to infidelity, saying it would feel like a betrayal if his wife secretly voted for Kamala Harris. Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, interpreted the ad as a sign of the “moral corruption” of the Democratic campaign.
In response, the Lincoln Project, a moderate conservative group, released a similar video. It features two men, clearly Republicans, claiming their wives will vote for Donald Trump, only for the camera to reveal that, in reality, the women have chosen the Democratic candidate.
Every vote counts: Kamala Harris and the mobilization of women
Both the Republican and Democratic camps are fighting for every vote in this highly uncertain election, as evidenced by these ads. Kamala Harris has centered part of her strategy around mobilizing women, who could very well tip the scales in some decisive states. According to a NBC poll, the Democratic candidate leads in women’s voting intentions by 16 points, while Donald Trump still maintains an 18-point advantage among men. This cumulative “gender gap” of 34 points is unprecedented, underscoring the importance of issues like women’s rights, including abortion rights.
Beyond gender issues, this election represents a clash of two societal visions. Donald Trump positions himself as the protector of traditional patriarchal values and gender roles, while Kamala Harris presents a message focused on equality and individual freedom of choice. According to Kelly Dittmar, a political science professor at Rutgers University, former President Trump represents “a traditional, patriarchal vision of masculinity,” while Kamala Harris embodies a vision that is less “aligned with stereotypical or traditional roles.”