Younger Voters Unlikely to Choose a Female President But Favor More Women in Government, Survey Finds

Poll Shows Desire for More Women in Elected Offices

A recent poll from an American university highlights a significant interest among voters for greater representation of women in elected positions. The survey indicates that 54% of participants believe there are “too few women” in office. Conversely, 35% feel the number of women is appropriate, while 11% think there are “too many.”

Interestingly, the poll notes that younger voters appear less inclined to support a female president. Among women under 50, 75% are open to voting for a woman in the presidency, and 80% of men in that age group share a similar sentiment. In contrast, a higher percentage—87%—of those over 50 are willing to elect a female president.

Furthermore, about 40% of voters, particularly among Republicans and younger participants, indicated they knew someone who would not support a female candidate for president. Nevertheless, a remarkable 83% of Americans believe it is essential to elect more women.

“This study reveals a strong paradox,” noted Viva de Vicq, the lead researcher. “Voters want to trust women on vital issues and support more women in office, but when it comes to the presidency, biases and narrow expectations become apparent.”

Among Democrats surveyed, a striking 92% emphasized the importance of electing more women, compared to 77% of Republicans. Additionally, 91% of voters aged 18 to 34 agreed on the need for more female elected officials, while 80% of those aged 50 to 64 shared this view. Interestingly, 26% of voters expressed a preference for the first female president to be “tough” rather than “likable.”

This survey followed President Donald Trump’s victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. In late July, Harris announced her intent to run for California Governor in 2026, raising questions about a potential presidential bid in 2028.

In the context of future elections, 32% of respondents deemed the 2028 presidential election as the “most important” of their lifetimes, while 35% considered it “more important than most.” Conversely, 26% of voters viewed it as “no more important than other elections.”

Recent analysis from the New York Times has shown that Democrats lost millions of registered voters between the 2020 and 2024 elections, with Republicans gaining in the same timeframe, raising concerns among some party members about their standing.