New Hampshire Primary Indicative of Unmarried Women’s Influence in Elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Network exit polls reveal unmarried women in New Hampshire accounted for 22 percent of all Democratic primary voters, and proved pivotal to Senator Clinton’s victory, as they were to Senator Obama’s win in Iowa.

“Unmarried women were extremely influential in Clinton capturing New Hampshire’s primary,” said Page Gardner, founder and President of Women’s Voices. Women Vote. “Single women gave a majority of their votes to Senator Clinton,” said Gardner.

In New Hampshire, Clinton carried single women by 17 points, with 50 percent voting for Clinton, 33 percent for Obama and 11 percent for Edwards.

Exit surveys suggest nearly a 30-point swing between Iowa and New Hampshire among unmarried women, one of the highest swings of any major demographic subgroups.

“These results compared to what we saw in Iowa last week show that the votes of unmarried women are up for grabs,” said Gardner, noting that Obama captured the single women’s vote in Iowa by 13 points (40 percent for Obama to 27 percent for Clinton). “Clearly women on their own are motivated to participate, and can be the deciding vote for the candidate who speaks to their issues and concerns,” said Gardner.

In New Hampshire, unmarried women once again voted in historic numbers. They were 22 percent of the Democratic primary voters—equal to their overall share in the population as a whole. Unmarried Iowan women voted at a larger proportion of their share of their overall state. Last week, unmarried women accounted for 28 percent of all Democratic caucusgoers, while they comprise 22 percent of all eligible voters in the state. Unmarried women constitute 12 percent of the Republican electorate. They gave Senator McCain a six point margin.

“Unmarried women have historically been the country’s largest group of non-voters, yet they are highly motivated to make their voices heard in 2008,” said Page Gardner.

For the first time in history, nationally there are as many unmarried women – single, separated, divorced, widowed – as there are married women. There are 53 million unmarried women in the country, and they account for 26% of eligible voters. However, compared to their married sisters, unmarried women are 9 percentage points less likely to register, and 13 percentage points less likely to vote. Marital status is one of the top four determinants of whether an individual will vote.

“The incredible turnout of New Hampshire women on their own who voted, along with their overwhelming participation in Iowa, it is clear that unmarried women will play a critical role in the national discussion, and demand the attention of the Presidential candidates,” said Gardner. “The impressive measure of unmarried women in New Hampshire and Iowa are encouraging signs that the 20 million unmarried women absent on Election Day in 2004, will make their voices heard in 2008.”

Although unmarried women historically register and vote at lower rates than married women, experts predict, and research indicates unmarried women could not only register in record numbers, but also vote and be influential in determining the next president. WVWV’s latest research indicates unmarried women will improve their participation in the electorate in 2008.

“Ninety percent of unmarried women agreed they must speak up and make their presence felt in the national conversation, if they are not satisfied with the direction our country is headed in” said Gardner, referencing WVWV’s latest research. “Our most recent research tells us that unmarried women are proud that they’re making it on their own, and feel it’s time for the decision-makers in Washington to understand the societal contributions of single women, and create public policies reflective of their every-day life,” said Gardner.

Research indicates unmarried women think this country is on the wrong track by greater margins than any other group of voters, yet are also overwhelmingly hopeful the election can substantially change the country. According to polling data, 75% of unmarried women surveyed said they were “absolutely certain” they would vote in the 2008 election.

In New Hampshire, Women’s Voices. Women Vote worked with USAction and New Hampshire Citizen Alliance to register unmarried women on election day in Manchester. Women’s Voices. Women Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy.