Executive Summary

In 2006, unmarried women voted for change in dramatically large numbers. On the eve of the election, more than two-thirds of unmarried women believed the country was on the wrong track, less than one-third approved of the job Congress was doing, and 54 percent said that they used their vote to voice their dissatisfaction with politics in Washington. Unmarried women were overwhelmingly against the war and the current status quo, particularly the neglect of health care and the economy.

This important survey, of 1,000 unmarried women, was conducted after the 100 hours agenda was adopted at the outset of the new Congress. The survey looks at the issues important to these change voters and how they could be impacted for 2008, with the goal of raising their participation.

These voters are very hopeful about the new Congress, though that could be undermined by lack of progress on key issues. They see the new Democratic Congress as positive, and they are more trusting that the new Congress will "do what is right" always or most of the time. They are optimistic about Nancy Pelosi and the new influence of women in Congress, and are also hopeful that the new Congress will address the unmarried women's agenda.

Methodology

This report is based on a survey of 1,000 unmarried women 18 years and older. It was conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner for Women's Voices Women's Vote. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent and fielded January 28-30, 2007.

Key Findings

• Unmarried women are optimistic that the new Congress will bring needed change; unmarried women who are politically engaged are more optimistic about the new Congress and aware of their legislative accomplishments than those who are less politically engaged.
• Getting out of Iraq and reforming health care top the agenda for unmarried women.
• On their own and financially on the edge, unmarried women seek economic relief from stagnant wages and rising costs.