Why HER Vote Counts

Because elections today frequently are won by tiny margins, the mobilization of students - especially young, feminist women - has the potential to change the political landscape in many states and perhaps the country as a whole. Remember, in 2000 the presidential election was decided by only 537 votes.

Only 59.6% of the voting age population in the United States voted in 2004, and only 20.6% of 18-24 year-old young women voted in the mid-term election in 2002 but almost 70% of senior citizens made it to the polls. This is why Social Security dwarfs issues young people care about the most like reproductive rights, peace, affirmative action, and the environment. This November, young people, especially young women, have enormous rights at stake in the election. Yet, we are the least registered and least voting population in the country. Among women, 18- to 24-year-olds vote less than any other age group. It's time to change these numbers!

Women Are Under-Represented - It's Time to Represent!

Even though women are 51% of the population, women hold only 15% of the seats in the U.S. Congress - we are 67 of the 435 U.S. House of Representatives seats, and only 14 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats. Only 4.5% of the U.S. House seats are held by women of color . There are no women of color in the U.S. Senate.

The picture in our state legislatures is better, but still dismal. Women today hold only 22.8% of state legislative seats nationwide. At the current rate of gain for women in elective office, it will take over 300 years to achieve parity with men in Congress.

Young women need to register, vote, and run for government in record numbers. So Get Out HER Vote this fall! Remember, under-representation begins in student governments. If you are ready to change the gendered division of power, join our campaign, From Campus to Congress, to promote feminist leadership. Run for office on your campus in the Spring of 2008!!! Visit www.feministcampus.org for more information.

The Gender Gap

Increasing voter participation among young women has the power to transform politics. Women vote differently than men; this measurable difference in male and female voting behavior and opinions is called the "gender gap." This gap can be significant, and has determined the outcome of elections in the past. When feminists are mobilized , the face of power can look different.

Consider these statistics: A Ms. poll (Summer 2006) revealed that the clear majority, 53%, of all American women consider themselves feminists as compared to 35% of all men - a whopping 18-point gender gap. The same poll indicated that 55% of women wanted the U.S. to withdraw troops from Iraq immediately or within the year as compared to only 43% of men - a 12-point gender gap. When these women are at the polls and vote, they can make a difference!

The Age Gap

Even amongst women, younger women vote differently from older women. In the 2004 presidential election, young women were more likely to believe that not enough attention was given to women's issues. Consider these statistics on the percentage of younger women and older women who considered the following issues to be deserving of more attention:

Prevention of Violence against Women: 69% of younger women said not enough attention was paid to violence against women while only 46% of older women agreed.

Equal Pay : 67% of younger women said not enough attention was paid to equal pay while only 55% of older women agreed.

Women's Equality Under the Law : 65% of younger women said not enough attention was paid to women's equality while only 56% of older women agreed.