Washington, D.C. – With unmarried Americans bearing a disproportionate share of the nation’s economic hard times, Women’s Voices. Women Vote (WVWV) today released a report titled, “The Economics of Unmarried America” aimed at drawing a clear and nonpartisan picture of the lives of unmarried Americans. The report’s findings were compiled by Lake Research Partners of Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.– Seeking to focus the attention of lawmakers and election reform groups on the obstacles to full participation of the American electorate and the path to election reform, Women’s Voices. Women Vote (WVWV) today released a comprehensive report titled, “Access to Democracy: Identifying Obstacles Hindering the Right to Vote.” Consolidating a variety of studies from expert sources into one document, the findings confirm the most significant obstacles to voter participation and outline those election reforms which would yield the most positive results.

Washington, D.C. – February’s unemployment statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), released today, reinforces what one advocacy group has been emphasizing for years: Unmarried women are among the hardest hit during an economic crisis. The current overall unemployment rate is 8.1% and for unmarried women, 9.5% is not only higher than the national average, but is also essentially double that of married women (5.1%).

Statement by Page S. Gardner, President, Women’s Voices. Women Vote:

“Today’s signing of the historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan by President Barack Obama is a much needed boost for not only the American economy generally, but for those who are among the hardest hit by this economic crisis.

“Unmarried women are suffering from the effects of this recession – the January 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistic numbers tell the story of the marriage gap. The current national unemployment figures show that, while married women were experiencing an unemployment rate of 4.9%, unmarried women had an unemployment rate of 9.3%—in other words, unmarried women had an unemployment rate that is almost double of married women.

"The economic downturn has had a catastrophic impact on the country and this economic recovery and reinvestment package comes at a critical time. This package will create much needed jobs and stability for families struggling to make ends meet,” Gardner concluded.

Statement by Page S. Gardner, President, Women's Voices. Women Vote (www.wvwv.org):

"The U.S. Senate’s upcoming vote on the historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan is a much needed boost for not only the American economy generally, but for those who are among the hardest hit by this economic crisis.”

“Today’s unemployment numbers issued by the Labor Department, the worst unemployment numbers since 1974, paint a bleak story for the American economy, 7.6% unemployment overall. Unmarried women are unemployed at an even higher rate than the overall national average – Unmarried women’s’ unemployed rate is 9.3% while married women’s unemployed rate is below the national average at 4.9%.

“For the millions of unmarried women across American worrying about how to provide health care for their children, President Obama’s actions today reauthorizing and expanding SCHIP sends the message that change has come to Washington and help is on the way. Women’s Voices. Women’s Vote applauds the President for signing this critical piece of legislation that will preserve access to healthcare of low-income families.

Statement by Page S. Gardner, president, Women’s Voices. Women Vote, on the vote by the U.S. Senate in favor of State Children’s Health Insurance Program legislation:

“Today the U.S. Senate passed State Children’s Health Insurance Program legislation, preserving access to healthcare of low-income families. I commend the Senators who support this legislation, providing services critical to women who are single, separated, divorced or widowed. Women on their own are the fastest growing large demographic in our country and nearly a fifth of whom are single moms, with children living at home.

Statement by Page S. Gardner, president, Women’s Voices. Women Vote, on the vote by the U.S. Senate on the Lilly Ledbetter Act:

“Today’s Senate vote is a great victory in providing equality for our nation’s women, especially those who are single, separated, widowed or divorced. Passage of the Lilly Ledbetter legislation today removes another road-block toward pay equality for unmarried women, who are supporting themselves and often their children on earnings that are only 56 percent of what married men earn. Victims of pay discrimination rarely realize any form of discrimination has occurred until after pay decisions are made.

Statement by Page S. Gardner, President, Women's Voices. Women Vote (www.wvwv.org):

"Tonight’s passage of the historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan is a much needed boost for not only the American economy generally, but for those who are among the hardest hit by this crisis – unmarried women. This segment of the population turned out to vote in record numbers this past election cycle."

WASHINGTON, DC – According to an election survey, unmarried women of Minnesota were more likely to support Democrat Al Franken over incumbent Republican Norm Coleman by 38 point margin. In the Presidential election, Minnesota unmarried women were more likely to support Barack Obama by 47 points.

The Lake Research Partners election survey, commissioned by Women’s Voices. Women Vote, was conducted in Georgia, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Minnesota. The survey found unmarried women offered critical support for progressive candidates in all of the states.

WASHINGTON, DC – According to an election survey, unmarried Georgia women played a key role in a race that was considered safe for Republicans but has resulted in a runoff between Jim Martin and Saxby Chambliss.

In the Presidential election unmarried women in Georgia supported Democrat Jim Martin by 49 points (71% to 22%). They also supported Barack Obama by 42 points.

The Lake Research Partners election survey, commissioned by Women’s Voices. Women Vote, was conducted in Georgia, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Minnesota. The survey found unmarried women offered critical support for progressive candidates in all of the states. In Georgia married women supported McCain over Obama, and Chambliss over Martin.

WASHINGTON, DC – According to an election survey, unmarried women of New Hampshire were more likely to support Democrat Jeanne Shaheen over incumbent Republican John Sununu by 34 points. In the Presidential election, New Hampshire unmarried women were more likely to support Barack Obama by 38 points.

WASHINGTON, DC – According to an election survey, unmarried women of North Carolina were more likely to support Democrat Kay Hagan over long-time incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole by 30 point margin. In the Presidential election, North Carolina unmarried women were more likely to support Barack Obama by 30 points.

The Lake Research Partners election survey, commissioned by Women’s Voices. Women Vote, was conducted in Georgia, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Minnesota. The survey found unmarried women offered critical support for progressive candidates in all of the states.

Unmarried women anchored Obama’s victory over McCain last night, splitting 70 to 29 for the Democratic ticket. Obama’s margin among unmarried women exceeded his margin among both young voters and Latino voters. Meanwhile, married women actually preferred McCain, 47 to 50 – an overwhelming 44 percent marriage gap. Unmarried women – women who are single, separated, divorced, or widowed – also gave strong support to Democrats in House races, splitting 64 to 29 nationally for Democratic candidate. All numbers come from calculations based on the CNN national election pool conducted by Edison/Mitofsky.