Data Analysis dramatizes importance of female vote in the General Election

Data analysis shows women voters in Illinois likely to substantially outnumber men in November’s General Election. 

 

Chicago, IL – VotingWomen.org,, an organization which utilizes new voter contact technologies to mobilize and empower female voters in Illinois, today highlighted voter data which dramatizes how important the female vote will be in the November 2010 General Election. 

“Data shows that Illinois’ female voters outnumbered male voters in every age group in the state’s last midterm election, ” said VotingWomen.org co-founder Karen Boehning. “In every age group the percentage of female voters increased again in Illinois during the 2008 General Election.  Given the media focus — and stark candidate contrasts – on issues like abortion, access to contraception, Family and Medical Leave, equal pay for equal work and the fight against breast cancer, female voter turnout is likely to once again significantly out pace that of men in 2010.”

Among voters aged 17-24, women made up 51.99% of the electorate in Illinois’ 2006 midterm election.  Women increased their percentage in this age range to 55.79% in the 2008 presidential election. This age group saw the largest increase in female voting percentage.

Among voters aged 25-45, women made up 53.57% of the electorate in Illinois’ 2006 midterm election.  Women increased their percentage in this age range to 55.14% in the 2008 presidential election.

Among voters aged 46-64, women made up 51.73% of the electorate in Illinois’ 2006 midterm election.  Women increased their percentage in this age range to 53.31% in the 2008 presidential election. 

Among voters 65 and older, women made up 54.54% of the electorate in Illinois’ 2006 midterm election.  Women increased their percentage in this age range to 55.93% in the 2008 presidential election.  

“This year is the 90th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote in all public elections,” said Boehning, a longtime women’s equality advocate. “It is inspiring to see Illinois’ female voters increasing their numbers in every age range.”

During the 2008 Illinois Democratic presidential primary, won by then Senator Barack Obama, women made up an astounding 59% of all voters. This helped groundbreaking female candidates such as Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez win critical victories.

Statistics show that the Republican Party in Illinois has significant ground to make up in its efforts to attract female voters in the 2010 General Election.  Despite women making up a clear majority of likely General Election voters, the number of men far exceeded the number of women voting in the 2010 Republican primary.  

Among Republican primary voters aged 17-24, men outvoted women by 54.9% to 45.1%.  Among Republican primary voters aged 25-45, men outvoted women by 54.06% to 45.94%.  Among Republican primary voters aged 46-64, men outvoted women by 53.68% to 46.32%. Only among Republican primary voters over 65 did women out vote men – by a slim 50.36% to 49.6% margin.  

“Among Illinois Republicans, a large gender gap still exists,” said Boehning. “This demonstrates that the GOP will remain at a structural disadvantage in Illinois politics unless it attracts more women to the party.  By the same token, Democrats must make sure they demonstrate to their female base that they are concerned about issues important to women and their families.”

More information on the history, power and composition of the women’s vote is available at www.VotingWomen.org