Executive Summary

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 in Iraq and the current status quo, particularly the neglect of issues such as health care and the economy.

This analysis shows that unmarried women are poised to lead the charge for even greater change in 2008. The growth of this demographic is changing the social fabric of our country. Meanwhile, unmarried women are at the forefront of the demand for change in America. In fact, unmarried women may play the same role for Democrats in 2008 that white evangelicals played for George Bush and the Republicans in 2004.

Key Findings

• For the 2006 congressional elections, the “marriage gap” was 32 points - far bigger than the gender gap, which was just 9 points.
• At 26 percent, unmarried women are the largest segment of the Democratic base. They are also the second most loyal bloc of Democratic voters. 
• In an electorate that is hungry for change, this cohort is the hungriest, with 78 percent saying the country is on the wrong track. Unmarried women’s ire is focused firmly on the Republicans, and this is reflected in new poll findings that show Democrats poised to blow Republicans out among this group in 2008. In a generic presidential match-up, unmarried women favor the Democrat by a 70 - 24 point margin.

Methodology

The memo draws on GQR and Democracy Corps surveys taken over the past 4 years, along with census and exit poll data from 1992 to the present Marital status is playing an increasingly defining role in elections.