The Gender Divide in the 2024 U.S. Election: How Men and Women Are Shaping the Race
In the 2024 race for the White House, gender dynamics are impossible to ignore. Former President Donald Trump holds a substantial lead among male voters, while female voters are rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris with comparable enthusiasm. This divide highlights a broader shift in American social and political attitudes over the last decade, making gender a defining factor in this election.
For Kamala Harris, the first woman of color to be nominated for the presidency, identity is a topic she often avoids. She stated in a recent interview, “I am running because I believe that I am the best person to do this job…for all Americans, regardless of race and gender.” Yet, her role as a female candidate remains central to many voters’ perceptions.
Some Harris campaign officials acknowledge that underlying sexism may be at play, affecting voter willingness to support her candidacy. This issue isn’t necessarily vocalized openly—pollsters often hear phrases like “not ready” or lacking the “right personality,” which some insiders suggest may be coded responses that reflect deeper gender biases.
Eight years ago, Hillary Clinton faced similar challenges, navigating assumptions and biases about women in powerful roles. Clinton’s 2016 slogan, “I’m with Her,” directly acknowledged her historic candidacy. Congresswoman Madeleine Dean remembers hearing comments that she interpreted as subtle resistance to the idea of a female president.
Since then, however, the landscape for women has shifted significantly. The #MeToo movement sparked a national conversation about workplace equity and biases, making it less unusual for a woman to vie for the presidency. Yet for some young men, the momentum toward inclusivity has been alienating, as shifting norms left them feeling sidelined. Polling expert John Della Volpe points out that many young men who feel misunderstood are drawn to Trump’s “bro-culture” and his narrative that masculinity itself is under attack.
In a final push to rally male voters, Trump has leaned into these themes, attending events like UFC fights and making comments about traditional male archetypes. Trump’s messaging resonates with young men who feel increasingly left behind in a society that they believe prioritizes women’s issues.
In response, the Democrats’ strategy has been direct. Barack Obama, speaking at a rally, addressed the sentiment that some male voters may be resistant to a female president, calling on them to set aside those biases. A Democratic ad goes a step further, urging viewers to “be a man: vote for a woman.”
Polls illustrate this divide clearly: Trump is leading by 14% among male voters, while Harris has a 12% lead among women. As the election nears, this gender split underscores that voters’ views on gender roles and social progress could heavily influence the outcome. For better or worse, the question of gender will play a significant role in shaping America’s political future this November.
