The Gender Gap in Election 2020: Resources from the Center for American Women and Politics

President Donald Trump has seen continuing erosion in his support from women in the 2020 elections. The gender gap, the difference between the percentages of women and men who support a given candidate, is among the most daunting challenges facing the president’s re-election prospects. The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University, shares resources for understanding the gender gap in 2020 and in historical context.

Presidential Election 2020

Our 2020 Presidential Gender Gap Poll Tracker follows both national polling of the race between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, as well as polling in key battleground states.

Revisiting the Gender Gap in 2020

Last week, CAWP hosted a written symposium exploring various aspects of the gender gap, which was released over three days on our Election Analysis blog.

• The Gender Gap in Vote Choice. A discussion of the factors shaping the gender gap, the subgroups of women who may be most critical to 2020’s presidential election outcome, and strategic advice to the presidential campaigns about how to maximize their support among women voters. Featuring Christina Bejarano (Texas Woman’s University), Mary-Kate Lizotte (Augusta University), and Christine Matthews (Bellwether Research & Consulting). Moderated by CAWP’s Susan J. Carroll.
• Race and the Gender Gap. An evaluation of voting behavior in this year’s election with attention to nuance and diversity – especially racial and ethnic diversity – among and between women and men in the electorate. Gender and politics experts use an intersectional lens to interrogate the accuracy and strategic motives of popular groupings of voters like “suburban women.” Featuring Natalie Masuoka (University of California, Los Angeles), Anna Sampaio (Santa Clara University), and Wendy G. Smooth (The Ohio State University). Moderated by CAWP’s Kelly Dittmar.
• The Gender Gap in Political Engagement. A conversation about the fact that, though women vote at higher rates than men, research has found that women are less interested in politics and feel less confident to participate effectively in politics. Experts discuss how the tide may be changing given the mobilization of women running for office and increased participation in political activism since the 2016 election. Featuring Melissa Deckman (Washington College) and Jennifer Wolak (University of Colorado Boulder). Moderated by CAWP’s Claire Gothreau.

Historical Information

• Presidential Vote Choice. Historical data on the gender gap in presidential vote choice going back 40 years. In every presidential election since 1980, a gender gap has been apparent.
• Party Identification and Presidential Performance Ratings. The gender gap in party identification going back to 1952 and in presidential performance ratings from the administration of George H.W. Bush.
• Gender Difference in Voter Turnout. The gender gap in voter turnout going back to 1964, with data on gender differences in aggregate and rates of turnout by age and race/ethnicity.

Find the most up-to-date information about women candidates and voters in election 2020 at CAWP’s Election Watch.