IDENTITY POLITICS, PARTISANSHIP, AND VOTING FOR WOMEN CANDIDATES

In 1992 a record 14 women sought statewide office by running"as women" and as representatives of women. In this articlewe examine whether their appeals led to widespread vot ing onthe basis of gender identity. We find evidence that the sexof the voter is significantly related to voting for female candidatesin eight of 13 states, and among partisans of both parties aswell as Independents. Further, we find that these effects areamplified by Democratic female candidates who are rated as mostfeminist, and that this is especially the case for those withno partisan attachments.     

Gender Differences in Voting for Female Candidates: Evidence from the 1982 Election

This paper analyzes voting in five 1982 elections in which womenran as major party candidates for high-level offices: Governorin Vermont and Iowa; and U.S. Senator in Missouri, New York,and New Jersey. Results indicate that the sex of the candidategenerally has little impact on voting and that solid women candidatescan attract cross-over votes, while weaker ones can lose them.The implications of these results are discussed in the concludingsection.