Washington, DC – A new survey conducted just before the midterm elections found that 8 in 10 voters indicated that women’s rights and protections were important to their voting decision. That figure rose to 86% among women voters.

The findings from the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and YouGov also underscore the disproportionate economic pressures that women face. While the economy and jobs ranked as a top concern for nearly all polled voters, women were consistently more likely to report struggling with rising costs, cutting back on household spending, and sacrificing basic needs to make ends meet.

“We know affordability drove voters to the polls, but policymakers cannot lose sight of how deeply affordability is intertwined with gender justice,” said Angel Padilla, vice president of strategy and policy at NWLC. “Women often manage their household budgets and acutely feel the rising cost of everyday essentials. Women are also more likely to hold low-wage jobs, earn less than men, and too often shoulder caregiving responsibilities. Congress must prioritize the issues that women consistently rank among their top concerns: affordable caregiving, low-cost health care, reproductive health care, paid leave, and higher wages.”

To read the full memo, click here.

Gender Justice Priorities Were Important to Voters’ Decisions

Voters overwhelmingly identified issues central to gender justice as important considerations in their midterm voting decisions, with women consistently placing greater importance on these issues than voters overall.

• Women’s rights and protections: 81% of voters said women’s rights and protections were important to their voting decision, including 86% of women. 

• Long-term care: 84% said long-term care for older adults and people with disabilities was important to their voting decision, including 88% of women. 

• The economy and jobs: 95% said the economy and jobs were important to their voting decision, including 96% of women. 

• Higher wages and incomes: 76% said raising the minimum wage and increasing incomes were important factors to their voting decisions, including 82% of women. 

• Paid family and medical leave: 69% said paid family and medical leave was important to their voting decisions, including 75% of women. 

• Abortion rights and access: 66% said abortion rights and access were important to their voting decisions, including 71% of women.  

• Affordable child care: 66% said affordable child care was important to their voting decisions, including 70% of women. 

Women Are More Likely to Struggle with Rising Costs

Women were more likely than voters overall to report worrying about their ability to afford essential expenses, including: 

• Health care: 70% of voters were worried about being able to afford health care, including 74% of women. 

• Utilities: 63% were worried about affording utility payments (water, electricity, and heating/AC), including 66% of women. 

• Caregiving: 59% were worried about affording care for older adults or people with disabilities, including 62% of women. 

Women Are Making More Sacrifices to Keep Up with Rising Costs

The survey also found that voters are changing their spending habits in response to rising costs, with women more likely than voters overall to report making cuts to household expenses. 

• Groceries: 59% of voters said they or someone in their household bought fewer or different groceries, including 65% of women. 

• Home energy: 49% said they used less energy at home, such as adjusting the temperature, including 55% of women. 

• Transportation: 33% said they drove less or used a different form of transportation than usual, including 35% of women. 

• Health care: 22% said they or someone in their household canceled or skipped going to the doctor, including 24% of women. 

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