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ISSUE: African-American single women voting Saturday

OUR VIEW: Candidate getting lion's share of their vote stands to win

When South Carolinians vote Saturday in the Democratic presidential primary, how single African-American women vote could be decisive.

A new report by the organization Women's Voices Women Vote concludes that unmarried women are the fastest-growing voting block in the country and African-American women make up 18 percent of the total of unmarried women. In South Carolina, where half of the primary voters are expected to be African-American, the numbers are even more significant.

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 percent of eligible voters. Historically, 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.

Things change.

"All of the primaries and caucuses so far have seen high numbers of unmarried women coming to the polls. African-Americans vote more than any other group of unmarried women, and will be a vital bloc of voters in the upcoming race in South Carolina, Florida and other states on Feb. 5," said Page Gardner, president of Women's Voices Women Vote.

Recent results back her up. In New Hampshire, unmarried women voted in historic numbers, accounting for 22 percent Democratic primary voters -- equal to their overall share in the population as a whole. Significantly more unmarried women in New Hampshire voted in the primary than voted in the 2006 general elections. In Iowa, unmarried women accounted for 28 percent of all Democratic caucus-goers - a considerably larger proportion than their share of the overall state (22 percent).

"Unmarried African-American women are asserting their political power like never before," according to an analysis conducted by Lake Research Partners. The study indicated that unmarried African-American unmarried women typically have a less-formal education, earn less money and are more likely to be raising a child.

"African-American unmarried women struggle to make ends meet and they will listen to candidates who have something to say about their lives and their hopes for the future," Gardner said.

Which candidate gets their vote remains unclear.

Some will say the prospect of electing the first female president in Hillary Rodham Clinton will have appeal.

But there is the matter of Barack Obama as an African-American.

And what about John Edwards and his campaign based on eliminating poverty and restoring the middle class?

Obama won the single-women's vote in Iowa. Clinton dominated in New Hampshire. Neither of those states has significant numbers of African-Americans.

"Our research shows us, and the first races have confirmed unmarried women are extremely motivated to participate in the 2008 elections, and make their voices heard in the 2008 races," Gardner said. "African-American unmarried women will support the candidate who addresses their economic concerns and will help them provide a strong community for their families."

If they vote en masse for one candidate, the impact on Saturday's results could be significant.