1. Key findings from nationwide voter survey conducted July 2008 for
HART
RESEARCH
P e t e r D A S O T E C I
Understanding What Women Want In 2008
Key findings from nationwide voter survey conducted July 2008 for

2. Methodology
Telephone survey among 1,308 voters nation- wide, including 1,001 women and 307 men (with gender-based samples subsequently weighted to proper proportions of electorate)
Survey dates: July 17 – 24, 2008
Margin of error = ±2.8 percentage points overall, ±3.2 among women, ±5.7 among men, larger among other subgroups

3. Looking Ahead: Voters Are Worried And Concerned
Family’s income is falling behind the cost of living:
Women
Men
60%
55%
Women
Men

4. Level Playing Field
Women
Men

5. Women Believe A Strong Women’s Movement Is Still Needed
Age 18 to 34 Age 35 to 44 Age 45 to 54 Age 55 to 64 Age 65/over
Income under $25K Income $25K to $50K Income $50K to $75K Income over $75K
High school/less education Some college education College graduates
Catholics Evangelical Protestants All other Protestants
Women who believe we still need a strong women’s movement
68% 72% 65% 70% 65%
72% 67% 68% 64%
66% 69% 68%
72% 56% 67%
We still need a strong women’s movement to push for changes that benefit women
We don’t still need a strong women’s movement
Women

6. Government Solving Problems
Women
Men

7. Providing Families With Economic Security: Still A Long Way To Go
75%
66%
Progress on providing today’s families with economic security so that can they can afford their current needs and plan for a secure retirement:
We have made some progress, but still must do more
We still have a pretty long way to go
Women
Men

8. Strong Support For Plan To Cut Poverty In Half
80%
Developing a long-range, comprehensive plan to cut poverty in half over the next ten years, which would especially help women and children who make up a disproportionate share of those currently living below the poverty line:
Extremely important priority for Congress and President
Very important priority for Congress and President
62%
Women
Men

9. Providing Equal Rights For Women: Still A Long Way To Go
Progress on providing equal rights for women, including equal pay for equal work, and ending other discrimination in the workplace:
We have made some progress, but still must do more
We still have a pretty long way to go
64%
53%
Women
Men

10. Strong Support For Legal Protections Needed To Get Equal Pay
How important is it that the next president and Congress address the issue of providing women with the legal protections they need to get equal pay?
Age 18 to 34 Age 35 to 44 Age 45 to 54 Age 55 to 64 Age 65/over
Income under $25K Income $25K to $50K Income $50K to $75K Income over $75K
High school/less education Some college education College graduates
Extremely/very important
86% 89% 84% 85% 85%
90% 87% 82% 83%
83% 89% 81%
77%
Very important
Extremely important
38%
22%
Less important
 Not important 8%
All Women

11. Ensuring Women Have Equal Education Opportunities: Still A Long Way To Go
Progress on ensuring that young women are protected from sexual harassment in schools, given equal opportunity in sports, and provided equal access to all career options:
We have made some progress, but still must do more
We still have a pretty long way to go
58%
48%
Women
Men

12. Low Confidence In Being Able To Afford Health Care Costs
How confident are you that you will be able to afford health care costs, including the cost of insurance premiums, for you and your family in the next few years?
53%
46%
Fairly confident
Just somewhat confident
Just somewhat/ not confident
Income under $25K
African Americans
Hispanics
Non-college grads
73%
58%
52%
Very confident
27%
Not confident
25%
All Women

13. Strong Support For Expanding Access To Contraceptives & Sex Education
How important is it that the next president and Congress address the issue of helping prevent unintended pregnancies by expanding access to contraceptives and comprehensive sex education?
64%
Very important
32%
Less important
Extremely important
31%
 Not important
12%
All Women

14. Strong Support For Upholding Roe
The Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe V. Wade decision established a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion and limited the circumstances under which gov-ernment could restrict this right.
Should NOT overturn Roe:
 Feel strongly  Do not feel strongly
Should overturn Roe:
 Do not feel strongly  Feel strongly
64%
62%
30%
29%
Women
Men

15. Strong Support For Increased Child Care Funding
75%
Support for increasing govern-ment funding to ensure that parents have access to quality child care and early education:
 Strongly favor  Somewhat favor
 Somewhat oppose  Strongly oppose
59%
34%
20%
Women
Men