Divisive US Election Deepens Gender Divide in Voting Patterns

AFP/APP
Chicago: The current White House race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump has highlighted a significant gender divide in voter preferences, according to recent polling data and analysts.
Harris, the Democratic candidate and a woman of Black and South Asian descent, aims to become the first female president of the United States. In contrast, Trump, the Republican candidate, is known for his controversial comments about women and his stance on restricting abortion rights.
A CBS opinion poll this week shows that 56 percent of women support Harris, while 44 percent back Trump. Conversely, 54 percent of men support Trump, with 45 percent favoring Harris. The Siena/New York Times poll reveals even more pronounced figures: 56 percent of women voters back Harris, compared to just 35 percent for Trump, while 52 percent of men prefer Trump, with 39% supporting Harris.
President Joe Biden highlighted the significance of the gender gap, noting, “Trump is going to find out the power of women in 2024,” a reference to the 2022 Supreme Court decision that abolished the federal right to abortion, a decision Trump has publicly praised.
Analysts describe the current gender divide as unprecedented. Pollster Frank Luntz remarked, “It’s not a gap, it’s a chasm,” suggesting that this divide is unlike anything seen before. He even predicted potential personal consequences, such as divorces, due to the stark political disagreements between genders.
Trump’s campaign has often included personal attacks against Harris, critiquing her appearance, intelligence, and even her laugh. Luntz believes these attacks have mobilized the Democratic base, as women voters react negatively to such disrespect and seek candidates focused on the future rather than past grievances.
The Trump campaign’s emphasis on hyper-masculinity, including comparisons of his strength and attractiveness to other men, appeals to some voters. Sonia Gipson Rankin, a law professor at the University of New Mexico, notes that Trump’s focus on strength and traditional masculinity resonates with those who feel these traits are undervalued in contemporary society.
Harris has criticized Trump’s aggressive rhetoric, asserting that true leadership strength is demonstrated by uplifting others rather than putting them down.
The ongoing debate over reproductive rights has also fueled the gender divide. Many conservative states have imposed abortion restrictions following the Supreme Court’s decision, further polarizing voters. Rankin suggests that while abortion remains a crucial issue, candidates need to address a broad range of concerns to connect with all voters.
Unlike Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, Harris’s campaign has not emphasized the historic nature of potentially becoming the first female president. Analysts warn that this gender divide may reflect deeper, generational trends, with young men and women increasingly moving in different political directions.