Note: This blog contains data obtained from the US Census that delineates voter trends based on age, race, and gender. While valuable data is shown, not every racial, ethnic, or gender identity is represented.
We pulled data to build a snapshot of how women are voting. It made one thing clear: the next election is up to women.
Map of 2022 Women Voters
We pulled data from the US Census and KFF to illustrate the power of women voters in 2022.
The numbers indicate that women showed up to vote in overwhelming numbers. Notably, this was the year that the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion care.
Overall, women voted at higher rates than men. Turnout was particularly high in Arizona, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin; in these states, women within the voter population voted at rates of roughly 58-71%. Notably, six of the twelve female governors in the US were in these states.
As stated above, in 2022, 12 states elected women governors — a record number. While this is a great accomplishment historically, it hardly reflects a population that's over 50% female.
2004-2022 Voters By the Numbers
Reports from the US Census from 2004-2022 show us what many consider popular knowledge: based on self-reports, women register to vote at higher rates than men. In several years, the discrepancy has been by as high as 10 percentage points.
In 2022, the gaps between women and men voters were highest in the white, non-Hispanic and Black communities. Likewise, they were highest among the age ranges 75+, 45-64, and 25-44.
This turnout is particularly remarkable when one considers that the 19th Amendment is barely a century old — and many women still weren't able to vote until much later than 1919.
Takeaways
Women's votes hold enormous power in our elections. Heading to the polls is an unmissable opportunity to wield our influence and vote on the issues that impact us. Reproductive rights, jobs, health care, education — politicians cannot afford to ignore women's voices on these issues.
So get ready to make your voice heard with tools like VOTE411.org! Check your registration, find out where your candidate stands on the issues, get your polling info, and share resources with your friends. Women power elections. That includes you.
The Latest from the League
On October 20, the League of Women Voters hosted a panel discussion on the state of democracy with four distinguished members of Congress. The panelists included Congresswomen Terri Sewell (AL-7), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Nikema Williams (GA-5). Invitations were extended to Congresswomen from all parties.
On June 23, 2022, five leaders in the political and equal rights movements came together to discuss the current state of democracy and women's role in advancing it.
Touching on subjects including voter suppression, empowering underserved communities, and attacks on gender and sex-based equality, the panelists had several messages for women working to defend our democracy.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating trailblazing women who advocate for equal rights and power our democracy.
These include Byllye Y. Avery, America Ferrera, Jane Fonda, Coretta Scott King, and Winona LaDuke.
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