Women's Voices. Women Vote. - WVWV Press Releases

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in Minnesota U.S. Senatorial Race

2008-11-06T16:04:00Z

WASHINGTON, DC – According to an election survey, unmarried women of Minnesota were more likely to support Democrat Al Franken over incumbent Republican Norm Coleman by 38 point margin. In the Presidential election, Minnesota unmarried women were more likely to support Barack Obama by 47 points.

The Lake Research Partners election survey, commissioned by Women’s Voices. Women Vote, was conducted in Georgia, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Minnesota. The survey found unmarried women offered critical support for progressive candidates in all of the states.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in Minnesota U.S. Senatorial Race

Record Marriage Gap Across the Country and in Minnesota – Unmarried Women Key Pillar of Support for Franken

“Unmarried women in Minnesota were the critical difference in the Senate race that is still too close to call,” said Page Gardner, Founder and President of Women’s Voices. Women Vote.

Unmarried women backed Democrat Al Franken by 62 percent to 24 percent over incumbent Republican Norm Coleman, and provided Barack Obama an overwhelming 47 point margin over John McCain (72 percent Obama, 25 percent McCain).

Nationally, unmarried women anchored Obama’s victory over McCain last night, splitting 70 to 29 for the Democratic ticket. Obama’s margin among unmarried women exceeded his margin among both young voters and Latino voters. Meanwhile, married women actually preferred McCain, 47 to 50 – an overwhelming 44 percent marriage gap. All numbers come from calculations based on the CNN National Election Pool conducted by Edison/Mitofsky.

“Throughout this election season, we’ve seen unmarried women paying attention to the candidates, and last night we saw them turn out to make their voices heard,” said Gardner. “Unmarried women are the fastest-growing large demographic in the country, and during this election, we’ve seen them register and vote in record numbers,” said Gardner.

The economy was the driving issue agenda impacting the vote of women in Minnesota. Rising health care costs were the most important economic issue determining their votes (24 percent), followed by the federal budget deficit and national debt (15 percent), higher taxes (14 percent), a secure retirement (9 percent), lack of jobs that pay a family-supporting wage (9 percent), daily expenses like food or child care (5 percent), the possibility of losing one’s job (5 percent), and the rising cost of gasoline and fuel (4 percent).

Since 2004, Women’s Voices. Women Vote has generated more than 34,000 registration applications in Minnesota, of which, more than 24,300 were from this cycle alone. Women's Voices. Women Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy.

Unmarried Women Propel Jim Martin to a Runoff Prove Decisive Political Force in Georgia U.S. Senatorial Race

2008-11-06T15:58:00Z

WASHINGTON, DC – According to an election survey, unmarried Georgia women played a key role in a race that was considered safe for Republicans but has resulted in a runoff between Jim Martin and Saxby Chambliss.

In the Presidential election unmarried women in Georgia supported Democrat Jim Martin by 49 points (71% to 22%). They also supported Barack Obama by 42 points.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Unmarried Women Propel Jim Martin to a Runoff Prove Decisive Political Force in Georgia U.S. Senatorial Race

Record Marriage Gap Across the Country and in Georgia

In the Presidential election unmarried women in Georgia supported Democrat Jim Martin by 49 points (71% to 22%). They also supported Barack Obama by 42 points.

“Georgia prepares for a runoff election because of the support Martin received from unmarried women,” said Page Gardner, Founder and President of Women’s Voices. Women Vote. “For Martin, getting unmarried women out to vote in the runoff election is the key to winning this seat,” said Gardner.

Married women voters supported Chambliss by 7 points, giving the incumbent 52 percent to 45 percent for Martin. Similarly in the Presidential election, married women supported McCain by 10 points, 55 percent to 45 percent over Obama.

Unmarried women backed Democrat Jim Martin by 71 percent to 22 percent over long-term incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss, and helped bring Barack Obama within striking distance of John McCain (28 percent McCain, 70 percent Obama). In Georgia, unmarried women who voted early supported Obama by 37 points, (60 percent to 23 percent) compared to a 23-point margin on Election Day (58 percent to 35 percent).

Nationally, unmarried women anchored Obama’s victory over McCain, splitting 70 to 29 for the Democratic ticket. Obama’s margin among unmarried women exceeded his margin among both young voters and Latino voters. Meanwhile, married women actually preferred McCain, 47 to 50 – an overwhelming 44 percent marriage gap. All numbers come from calculations based on the CNN National Election Pool conducted by Edison/Mitofsky.

Economic concerns greatly influenced women’s vote in Georgia, including rising health care costs (16 percent), the federal budget deficit and national debt (13 percent), job loss (11 percent), the availability of family-supporting jobs (10 percent), higher taxes (10 percent), and daily expenses like food or child care (10 percent).

Since 2006, Women’s Voices. Women Vote has generated more than 1,100 registration applications in Georgia. Women's Voices. Women Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy.

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in New Hampshire U.S. Senatorial Race

2008-11-06T15:53:00Z

WASHINGTON, DC – According to an election survey, unmarried women of New Hampshire were more likely to support Democrat Jeanne Shaheen over incumbent Republican John Sununu by 34 points. In the Presidential election, New Hampshire unmarried women were more likely to support Barack Obama by 38 points.

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in New Hampshire U.S. Senatorial Race

</center>

Record Marriage Gap Across the Country and in New Hampshire– Unmarried Women Key Pillar of Support for Shaheen

</center>

“The overwhelming support of unmarried women in New Hampshire provided Shaheen the support and numbers she needed for a victory over Sununu,” said Page Gardner, Founder and President of Women’s Voices. Women Vote.

Unmarried women backed Democrat Jeanne Shaheen by 64 percent to 30 percent over incumbent Republican John Sununu, and provided Barack Obama’s victory over John McCain (68 percent Obama, 30 percent McCain).

The economy was the driving issue agenda impacting the vote of unmarried women in New Hampshire, citing the federal budget deficit and national debt (22 percent), rising health care costs (20 percent), and the lack of family-supporting jobs (10 percent) as the issues that helped determine their vote.

Women's Voices. Women Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy.

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in North Carolina US Senatorial Race

2008-11-06T15:49:00Z

WASHINGTON, DC – According to an election survey, unmarried women of North Carolina were more likely to support Democrat Kay Hagan over long-time incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole by 30 point margin. In the Presidential election, North Carolina unmarried women were more likely to support Barack Obama by 30 points.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in North Carolina U.S. Senatorial Race

Record Marriage Gap Across the Country and in North Carolina – Unmarried Women Key Pillar of Support for Hagan

“The overwhelming support of unmarried women in North Carolina delivered stunning victories for both Hagan and Obama,” said Page Gardner, Founder and President of Women’s Voices. Women Vote.

Unmarried women backed Democrat Kay Hagan by 53 percent to 44 percent over incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole, and provided Barack Obama an overwhelming victory over John McCain (68 percent Obama, 32 percent McCain).

The economy was the driving issue agenda impacting the vote of women in North Carolina, with rising health care costs their most pressing concern. Rising health care costs were the most important economic issue determining their votes (19 percent), followed by higher taxes (15 percent), the federal budget deficit and national debt (12 percent), lack of jobs that pay a family-supporting wage (10 percent), a secure retirement (8 percent), daily expenses like food or child care (8 percent), the possibility of losing one’s job (6 percent), and the rising cost of gasoline and fuel (5 percent).

Women's Voices. Women Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy.

Single Women Prove Decisive Political Force

2008-11-05T18:54:00Z

Unmarried women anchored Obama’s victory over McCain last night, splitting 70 to 29 for the Democratic ticket. Obama’s margin among unmarried women exceeded his margin among both young voters and Latino voters. Meanwhile, married women actually preferred McCain, 47 to 50 – an overwhelming 44 percent marriage gap. Unmarried women – women who are single, separated, divorced, or widowed – also gave strong support to Democrats in House races, splitting 64 to 29 nationally for Democratic candidate. All numbers come from calculations based on the CNN national election pool conducted by Edison/Mitofsky.

Single Women Prove Decisive Political Force:
Vote 70-29 for Obama;
Married Women 47-50 for McCain

Record Marriage Gap Across the Country –
Unmarried Women Key Pillar of Support for Obama

Unmarried Women Back Democrats in the House, 64-29

</center>

“Unmarried women have changed America, and they are an influential part of the new electorate. This year we can say, unmarried women were heard loud and clear. They voted for change. Now its time for the new Administration and the Congress to listen to these women in public policy debates,” said Page Gardner, President and Founder of Women’s Voices Women Vote. “WVWV has registered and turned out more unmarried women than any other group and provided that community with resources they did not have before,” Gardner stated.

Currently, Obama has a 7.2 million vote margin. With unmarried women, he had a 12-million-plus vote margin. If unmarried women voted like married women, he would have lost by 5 million votes. In 2004, John Kerry won among unmarried women, 62-37, a 7 million vote margin.

Since 2004, Women’s Voices Women Vote has worked to register unmarried women – an historically underrepresented demographic – and has generated over one million voter registration applications to date, including over 900,000 this cycle alone. WVWV has also worked to ensure unmarried women get out and vote through efforts including mailing approximately one million vote-by-mail applications to unmarried women in Colorado, Ohio, Iowa, Montana, and Nevada; calling over one million women asking them to “Promise” to vote; mailing voter information packets to unmarried women in eighteen states; sending same-day registration packets to women in Wisconsin and Iowa; and placing a Public Service Announcement on national talk radio, in which Barbra Streisand urges women, particularly unmarried women, to vote.

Gardner reacted to the increased interest in this election: “Unmarried women, previously silent and underrepresented, will be heard and will be an enormous part of ensuring that there is a new day in America.”

Full poll available at www.wvwv.org. Streisand PSA available at http://www.wvwv.org/media-room/video-public-service-announcements.

Women's Voices Women Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy.

Largest Target Group in Electorate Deserves Pay Equity

2008-08-08T18:15:00Z

Statement of Page Gardner, President, Women’s Voices. Women Vote

For the first time in history, a majority of adult women in this country are unmarried, and almost a fifth of these women are single moms, with children living at home. In many ways, they are 'women on their own,' supporting themselves and often their children on earnings that are only 56 percent of what married men make.

Statement of Page Gardner, President, Women’s Voices. Women Vote

The issue of pay equity is more than a fight for their rights – it is a fight to support themselves and their children. The Paycheck Fairness Act recently passed by the House of Representatives means these “women on their own" have an important first step towards being paid what they're truly worth - they are no less deserving of the American Dream than are their male counterparts. There are obstacles in its way – opponents in the U.S. Senate and a President who has already threatened a veto.

We are encouraged that the issue of pay equity is fast becoming a priority, as Senator Hillary Clinton rightly said today in Nevada. This issue deserves to be at the top of the heap of agendas for policymakers’, both future and current.

Nothing could be more defining of both their understanding of and connection to the economic survival of women on their own, than where a candidate stands on the issue of pay equity. We urge our lawmakers in Congress, and the candidates for President to demonstrate that hard work is respected and rewarded, whether the worker is a woman or a man, single or married.

Women's Voices, Women Vote is a national, nonpartisan organization that encourages single women to register, vote and fully participate in the democratic process.

Statement by Page S. Gardner

2008-08-01T00:11:00Z

On the vote by the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of the Paycheck Fairness Act

“This vote is a victory for the nation’s women, especially those who are single, separated, widowed or divorced. For the first time in history, a majority of adult women in this country are unmarried, and almost a fifth of these women are single moms, with children living at home. In many ways, they are ‘women on their own,’ supporting themselves and often their children on earnings that are only 56 percent of what married men make.

Statement by Page S. Gardner, president, Women’s Voices, Women Vote, on the vote by the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of the Paycheck Fairness Act

“With the Paycheck Fairness Act, these ‘women on their own” will finally have a fair chance to be paid what they’re worth and earn their fair share of the American Dream. Now, it’s up to the U.S. Senate to cast a vote that says in no uncertain terms that, here in America, hard work is respected and rewarded, whether the worker is a woman or a man, single or married.”

Women’s Voices, Women Vote is a national, nonpartisan organization that encourages single women to register, vote and fully participate in the democratic process.

Voter Registration Campaign to Target Unmarried Women in 24 States

2008-07-30T20:15:00Z

The voter registration drive, “You Count. Be Counted!,” will begin next week, targeting over approximately 7 million unmarried women in 24 states. The drive is being run by the national organization Women’s Voices Women Vote, which expects to register close to 1 million women nationwide between now and Election Day.

“You Count. Be Counted!” Campaign Will Be Biggest Ever Mail-In Registration Drive,
Focusing on Group Long Underrepresented in Voting Booth

According to the most recent census data, unmarried women – women who are single, separated, divorced, or widowed – make up a growing percent of the population. Approximately 26 percent of eligible voters are unmarred women, or 53 million people.

“For the first time in history, unmarried women are equal in number to married women, yet they register and vote less,” said Page Gardner, President of Women’s Voices. Women Vote. “Although single women are the fastest growing large group in our country they remain underrepresented in our democracy,” Gardner said.

Unmarried women are 9 percentage points less likely to be registered than married women, and those who are registered are 13 percentage points less likely to actually vote.

Nonetheless, so far in this election season, unmarried women have been increasingly engaged in the process and have been a decisive force in several primaries. Similarly, so far this year, WVWV has gotten record high response rates on its voter registration mailings, successfully generating more than 550,000 registration applications nationally.

“In 2004, there were 20 million unmarried women who did not vote in the national election who could have; 15 million were unregistered. That is why we are committed to conducting a robust voter registration effort to make sure their voices are heard,” said Gardner.

Registration forms for the “You Count. Be Counted!” campaign will be arriving in waves. Between August 8th and 15th, forms should arrive at the homes of women in Arkansas, Illinois Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Between August 26th and September 2nd, the mailing will arrive in Colorado, Nevada, and Washington.

Between September 12th and September 19th, the mailing will arrive in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Women’s Voices Women Vote has contacted election officials in each state where the campaign will be active to notify them of the mailing, let them know to expect an increased number of registration forms that will need to be processed, and ensure the registration materials meet state standards. WVWV will continue to work with election officials and do everything it can to ensure unmarried women are able to exercise their right to vote in this historic election.

For an interactive map containing state-specific information, please visit www.wvwv.org.

Explanation of Robo Calls and Voter Registration Efforts

2008-05-06T05:42:00Z

Responding to questions raised over robo-calls and voter registration forms received by North Carolina residents, Page Gardner, President of Women's Voices. Women Vote, issued the following statement:

"Founded in 2004, the non-partisan Women's Voices, Women Vote (WVWV) pioneered the use of direct marketing techniques (direct mail and automatic phone calls) to register voter."

Statement from Page Gardner, President and CEO,
Women's Voices. Women Vote

"Founded in 2004, the non-partisan Women's Voices, Women Vote (WVWV) pioneered the use of direct marketing techniques (direct mail and automatic phone calls) to register voters. As its name suggests, the organization's focus is the large group of unregistered voters among the nation's 53 million unmarried women. It has registered 600,000 voters since 2004.

"In February, March and early April of this year, WVWV registered 26,000 voters in North Carolina, approximately 57% of whom are African American. No organization that would spend resources to register these voters would then turn around and attempt to disenfranchise them in May. We address this issue in two parts: first, what we did in North Carolina, and second, the history and achievements of the organization which add important context for understanding the way direct marketing to register voters is a welcome addition to more traditional approaches.

"OUR WORK IN NORTH CAROLINA

"In February, March and early April, 2008, WVWV and its project, the Voter Participation Center, registered 26,000 voters in North Carolina who are eligible to vote in Tuesday's primary election. Our phone calls and mailings went not only to African American voters but to all unmarried women -- white, African American and Latinas -- as well as to African American men and married African American and Latina women. WVWV used the same man's and woman's voices and the same script for automatic ("robo") calls to unregistered voters in North Carolina and every other state in which we operate this year. Our calls are designed to bring attention to our mailing which contains not only directions for registering to vote but also who we are and how to contact us, as well as how to opt out of receiving future mailings.

"Before initiating our programs, WVWV always notifies state election officials. For our April program in North Carolina we also informed broadcast and print media. Our April mailing package highlighted instructions suggested to us by North Carolina's election officials and others, explaining to recipients who might already have been registered how to opt out of our program. The timing of our mail and phone program, right before a primary, is one of the most productive moments to register voters. Apparently, news coverage of the primary election reminds people that they don't want to miss subsequent opportunities to vote and makes this one of the most efficient times to register them.

"Some have wrongly concluded that our timing in the hotly contested North Carolina primary was calculated to sow confusion, thereby suppressing African American turnout. One can argue, reasonably, that we should have anticipated this possibility and postponed our mail and phone program, but the notion that after registering 26,000 voters this year in North Carolina for the primary, the majority of whom are African Americans, we would then, the very next month, intentionally attempt to disenfranchise them is, at best, unfounded. Like many other voter registration groups, we continue our voter registration work without a pause up until the registration deadline for the general election. We don't pause for primaries.

"Because the second round of our voter registration effort in North Carolina this year coincided with the upcoming May primary election, we issued a press release to all media outlets in the state that addressed a possible source of misunderstanding:

"North Carolinians can complete the application they receive in the mail to conveniently register to vote for the general election on November 4. The application cannot be used to register to vote in the May 6 primary.

"Residents who are eligible to register for the primary but missed the deadline may still register and vote through the state's One-Stop Absentee Sites. Qualified residents may register and vote at the country designated One-Stop site from 19 to 3 days before Election Day. More information on North Carolina One-Stop Absentee voting is available on the State Board of Elections website at http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?ID=32.

"While our mailings fully identified the organization and provided our contact information, regretably our robo calls that preceded them did not, nor did they mention the information about One-Stop Absentee voting sites.

"We understand that efforts to suppress voter turnout have been all too prevalent all over the country in recent years so that voting rights advocates are appropriately vigilant. WVWV will be especially sensitive to these concerns as it proceeds toward its goal of registering over a million voters for the general election in November.

"THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS OF OUR PROGRAM

"Direct marketing in order to register voters was an important innovation because it expanded the reach of voter registration efforts which had, up to 2004, been done primarily at shopping centers and other locations where targeted constituencies congregated. Direct marketing made it possible to contact people wherever they live, thereby dramatically expanding the potential universe of unregistered voters who could be contacted.

"In developing and refining our voter registration techniques, we tested a variety of phone and mail programs, timing and scripts and settled upon the approach we used in North Carolina and all of the other states in which we've carried out our efforts. Since 2004 we have registered over 600,000 voters, the overwhelming majority of whom are unmarried women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. WVWV is among the top two or three voter registration organizations in the country measured by actual voters registered.

"After demonstrating the effectiveness of its direct marketing approach with unmarried women in 2004-05, WVWV began experimenting, in 2006, with the registration of African American men and married African American women. We decided in 2007, to do this in every state where our resources ensured that our focus on unmarried women would not be diluted. WVWV created the Voter Participation Center for this purpose and since 2007, has been sending mailings and making automatic phone calls to this expanded group of unregistered voters in every state it has targeted.

"While we deeply regret our error of omission in North Carolina, we are proud of our record that includes tight management and rigorous controlled experimentation with a wide variety of direct marketing approaches to registering voters. We track the results of each mailing and constantly evaluate our work, resulting in one of the most cost-effective voter registration and turnout programs in the country."

William McNary Speaks Out in Support of WVWV

2008-05-01T11:30:00Z

Statement of William McNary, President of USAction, Co-Executive Director Citizen Action/Illinois and Board Member of Women’s Voices, Women Vote

During five election cycles, I have worked with the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition where I co-directed targeted voter registration campaigns and ‘get out the vote’ efforts to the African American community. I have also had the great privelege of serving on the Board of Directors of Women’s Voices, Women Vote â€“ a non profit, non partisan organization whose mission is registering underrepresented Americans, primarily, unmarried women.

I am also a voter. And in this election, I am supporting Barack Obama, whom I’ve known and worked with for years. I am also an elected delegate to the Democratic Convention for Barack Obama.

Given my candidate preference and my background and associations in voter registration efforts, I can say with great conviction, there was no effort to suppress or confuse African American voters, or any other voters in the state of North Carolina by Women’s Voices, Women Vote.

I have seen up close the work of Women’s Voices. Women Vote and know well the commitment, passion and leadership our organization has shown in helping make the voices of unmarried women and other underrepresented voters heard. There may have been mistakes made in this particular registration drive in North Carolina, but Women’s Voices, Women Vote’s motives were not malicious or intended in any way to confuse voters. Ironically, just the opposite. I know the staff is making every effort to right the situation.

Read the original column at Huffington Post

I am also a voter. And in this election, I am supporting Barack Obama, whom I’ve known and worked with for years. I am also an elected delegate to the Democratic Convention for Barack Obama.

Read the original column at Huffington Post

Voter Registration Drive Encourages Participation of Under-Represented in November Election

2008-04-28T15:18:00Z

Mail Registration Brings More Voices to Vote in November Election

Women's Voices. Women Vote Encourages North Carolina's Unmarried Women to Register to Vote for the General Election

WASHINGTON, DC -- Continuing their campaign to register unmarried women to vote, and encourage this under-represented group to engage in democracy, Women's Voices Women Vote is mailing more than 3 million voter registration applications in 24 states. In North Carolina alone, more than 276,000 citizens will be mailed the voter registration application, allowing them to register for the November general election. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming primary was April 11.

North Carolinians can complete the application they receive in the mail to conveniently register to vote for the general election on November 4. The application cannot be used to register to vote in the May 6 primary.

"Although North Carolinians cannot use this application to register to vote in the up-coming primary on May 6, residents can complete the form and drop it in their mailbox to register to vote in the general election this November," said Page Gardner, President of Women's Voices. Women Vote.

Women's Voices Women Vote, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing the number of unmarried women participating in our democracy, is mailing voter registration forms to more than 3 million homes in 24 states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

"We're in the midst of a sea change in our country, as we're seeing a new America emerge right before our eyes," said Gardner. "For the first time in our country's history, there are as many unmarried women as there are married, yet women on their own are still registering and voting less than their married sisters, leaving their voice absent from our democracy," said Gardner.

Unmarried women - those single, separated, divorced or widowed - are 53 million of the voting-age population. Although they are potentially 26 percent of the electorate, they are 9 percentage points less likely to register and 13 percentage points less likely to vote than married women. In the last presidential election in 2004, 20 million unmarried women were absent from the polls.

According to 2006 U.S. Census data, more than 570,000 unmarried women in North Carolina were not registered and more than 502,000 unmarried women were registered, but did not vote.

"A majority of households in our country are headed by an unmarried person," said Gardner. "Unmarried women are economically stretched, and their time is so valuable since they must provide for themselves and their families on their own. Making it as easy as possible to register to vote will ensure their voices are heard in our democracy."

Residents who are eligible to register for the primary but missed the deadline may still register and vote through the state's One-Stop Absentee Sites. Qualified residents may register and vote at their county designated One-Stop Site from 19 to 3 days before Election Day. More information on North Carolina One-Stop Absentee voting is available on the State Board of Elections website at www.sboe.state.nc.us.

To identify voter registration application recipients, Women's Voices Women Vote uses a sophisticated matching process that compares a consumer data list with the North Carolina file of registered voters. The National Voter Registration Application was created by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, an independent, bipartisan commission created from the Help America Vote Act of 2002, and is accepted in 48 states.

For more information on the voter registration applications, visit www.voterparticipationcenter.org.

PSA's at Tribeca Film Festival Urge Women: Go Vote!

2008-04-25T23:35:00Z

Barbra Streisand, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Christine Lahti, Sarah Paulson, Jurnee Smollett, and Amber Tamblyn have collaborated with Women's Voices. Women Vote on an ad urging unmarried women to vote that is being shown before each film screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. Streisand recorded the music for the public service announcement; "regular" women -- from a cop to a magician -- are featured alongside the actresses.

Public Service Ads Running Before Each Film;
Part of Campaign by Women's Voices. Women Vote

Barbra Streisand, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Christine Lahti, Sarah Paulson, Jurnee Smollett, and Amber Tamblyn have collaborated with Women's Voices. Women Vote on an ad urging unmarried women to vote that is being shown before each film screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. Streisand recorded the music for the public service announcement; "regular" women - from a cop to a magician - are eatured alongside the actresses.

The ad is one of several in a campaign sponsored by the non-partisan organization Women's Voices. Women Vote. The campaign is aimed at registering and turning out the vote of unmarried women, who now make up more than a quarter of the electorate but are less likely than men or married women to register and vote. In the PSAs, which are set in the Oval Office, Streisand performs a rendition of "America the Beautiful."

"There are 20 million American women who are on their own - single, separated, divorced and widowed - who didn't vote in the last presidential election. Our goal is to convince them to register and go to the polls in 2008," said Page Gardner, founder and President of WVWV, of the ad campaign. "The economic, social and political implications reflected in the power of this important new voting bloc are profound. We want their voices to be heard in our democracy."

Women on their own make up the largest bloc of non-voters in the nation, and are the fastest growing large demographic. Setting the PSAs in the Oval Office is intended to evoke the importance of having women's voices heard and their power felt in electing candidates to every office.

The ad showing at the festival is online at www.wvwv.org.

To view the other public service announcements in the campaign, go to www.wvwv.org/media-room/video-public-service-announcements.

The PSA campaign was created by Producer Julie Bergman Sender and Academy Award nominated director Stuart Sender. Their production firm, Balcony Films, specializes in creating and distributing visual content and large-scale campaigns for television, the internet, radio, and theaters.

Unmarried women represent 26 percent of all eligible voters and half of all women in this country. While 27 million single women did vote in 2004, 20 million single women did not vote. Compared to their married sisters, single women are 9 percentage points less likely to register and 13 percentage points less likely to vote.

"There is a marriage gap in this country. The difference is between how married and unmarried women live, work, and participate in our democracy. Women's Voices. Women Vote is dedicated to one proposition --- that the voices of women on their own are heard, that their lives and their concerns are addressed by candidates and that their voices are heard in our democracy. America loses when the voices of these women are not included," said Gardner.

"The extraordinary women from all walks of life who gave their efforts to our PSA's -- an exercise in democracy to make sure women on their own participate "are performing a uniquely American act in volunteering to help make our country stronger through greater democratic participation," said Gardner.

The women in the public service ads include:

* Barbra Streisand, singer, actress, composer, and film producer and director. Streisand has enjoyed critical and commercial success, winning multiple Oscars, Emmys, Grammy and Golden Globe awards, among many other accolades.

* Tina Gainsbrough and her daughter Sandy Price. Tina is 87, and first voted during the Great Depression. Tina's mother was pregnant with her when she marched for women's suffrage.

* Julia Louis Dreyfus, actress and environmental activist. Julia is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning actress and comedian. She starred in NBC's Seinfeld and was a member of the Saturday Night Live cast for two seasons. She currently stars in the CBS sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine.

* Rachel Pusak, young nurse practitioner. After Hurricane Katrina, she raised money to go to New Orleans and help victims of Katrina.

* Christine Lahti, Oscar winner, political activist and mother of three. She won an Emmy and two Golden Globes for her role in Chicago Hope.

* Jasmine Segura, single mom of a young son and fights fires for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

* Amber Tamblyn, actress. She starred in the CBS series Joan of Arcadia and the film The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants. She has been an active voice for voter registration.

* Candice Clark, artist and apartment manager, raising her 15 month old daughter Thace on her own.

* Jurnee Smollett, young actress co starring in the soon to be released film The Great Debaters with Denzel Washington.

* Farrah Siegel, 18 year old magician who will be voting for the first time.

* Sarah Paulson, actress best known for her work on NBC's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and HBO's acclaimed series Deadwood.

The PSAs are part of a broader campaign by Women's Voices. Women Vote to register and encourage single women to vote on November 4, 2008. The organization plans reg istration programs in 26 states with a goal of registering over 1 million women. WVWV also partners with other nonprofit organizations and shares its resources to increase the effectiveness and impact of voter mobilization programs.

Women's Voices. Women Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy.

Unmarried Women Hardest Hit by Pay Inequity

2008-04-22T05:56:00Z

Study Finds Income Disparities Leave Unmarried Women Behind

WASHINGTON, DC -- As Equal Pay Day approaches, a new study from Women's Voices Women Vote finds unmarried women are most vulnerable to pay inequity when compared to unmarried men, married men or married women.

Examination of Census Data finds unmarried women earn less than men, and married women, in terms of family, household and personal earnings. The average household income of unmarried women is almost $12,000 less than that of unmarried men.

"On Tuesday, our nation recognizes Equal Pay Day, and takes a look at how far into the year a woman would have to work to earn as much as a man earned the previous year," said Page Gardner, President of Women's Voices Women Vote. "Income disparities hit unmarried women the hardest, resulting in a women on her own having to work until September 27 of the following year to earn as much money as a typical man makes."

The Lake Research Partners study, commissioned by Women's Voices Women Vote, found unmarried women earn only 56 cents for every dollar a married man earns. In terms of personal earnings, unmarried women live on only $37,264 per year, which is nearly $6,000 less than unmarried men ($42,843) and nearly $30,000 less than married men ($66,646) earn.

"Unmarried women are 53 million strong in this country, and they work hard every day to provide for their families and create better futures for themselves," said Gardner. "These women are making it on their own, and deserve to be compensated equally to men and married women for the work they do," Gardner said.

Unmarried women not only earn less than unmarried men, and married men and women, but they are the sole provider of basic household costs. Unmarried women spend 37 percent of their household income on basic household costs, while married women report spending only 32 percent of their household income on these expenses. The study finds unmarried women have nearly $225 less to spend per month than unmarried men do.

"Our research finds unmarried women are interested in the general election, and they have been participating in the 2008 primaries at historic rates," said Gardner. "Our latest poll found unmarried women are profoundly concerned with economic issues, and placed strong emphasis on Pay Equity. Unmarried women not only deserve equal pay for equal work, but they need paycheck fairness to survive in our world today."

The full report on unmarried women and income disparity is available at http://www.wvwv.org/assets/2008/4/18/memo.income.pdf.

Women's Voices Women Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy.

Women's Voices Women Vote recently released a policy agenda outlining concerns of unmarried women. The agenda finds the policy issue concerns of unmarried women are driven by the effect of the economy and income disparity on their daily lives. The full policy agenda of unmarried women is available at www.wvwv.org.

Unmarried Women Prove Powerful Spenders, Critical Sector of American Economy

2008-03-14T17:17:00Z

The steadily growing number of unmarried women has catapulted this demographic to a potent force in American economic society. Despite earning considerably less than unmarried men (56 cents for every dollar), single women are incredibly active consumers.

Report finds great influence of unmarried women in the marketplace

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The steadily growing number of unmarried women has catapulted this demographic to a potent force in American economic society. Despite earning considerably less than unmarried men (56 cents for every dollar), single women are incredibly active consumers.

A new study, Unmarried Women in the Marketplace, finds that although the spending power of a typical unmarried woman is more limited, their growing numbers and lifestyle clearly indicate they are a critical market for American businesses.

Unmarried women comprise 53 million Americans, and outnumber unmarried men by 25 percent. As a group, unmarried women are the fastest growing large demographic in America, and are frequently the fastest growing group conducting new purchases.

"Our country is made-up of more unmarried women than men," said Page Gardner, president of Women's Voices Women Vote. "Today's single woman is increasingly more likely to own her own home and take on the role of head of household, ultimately making her a powerhouse in our economy," Gardner said.

Unmarried women are the second largest group of homebuyers in the country. Compared to unmarried men, single women are 10 percentage points less likely to live with their parents, making them second only to married couples in home purchases.

Close to 60 percent of unmarried women assume head household roles in the country, making them primarily responsible for their households' major purchasing decisions. In fact, recent major purchasers of large home furnishings and clothing are unmarried women. As unmarried women are much more likely than unmarried men to be the primary heads of their own households (44% of unmarried men are heads of households), single women are competitive with single men for recent large home purchases.

"We have found that unmarried women heavily rely on word-of-mouth as a source of information. This type of communication is also highly influential in their decisions regarding politics, and purchases," said Gardner. "We're seeing women on their own impact the marketplace even more than their available income would suggest due to their strong ties to their community and large participation in groups," said Gardner.

Unmarried women are more likely than unmarried men to participate in organized groups, allowing them to also influence the shopping habits of others. The economic influence of unmarried women is enhanced by their greater participation in organized groups, providing an outlet for them to shape the opinions of millions of other consumers through their interactions with friends and family members in these groups.

The Lake Research memo, Unmarried Women in the Marketplace, was commissioned by Women's Voices Women Vote, and may be viewed on their website.

Women's Voices. Women Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy. With a goal of registering over 1 million unmarried women to vote, WVWV is currently conducting an aggressive mail registration program, and sponsoring the "20 Million Reasons to Vote" Public Service Announcements.

Unmarried Women Vote in Potomac Primary in Record Numbers

2008-02-13T20:43:00Z

Network exit polls reveal unmarried women continued their historically high participation in the 2008 primaries in today's Maryland and Virginia Democratic primaries, and were a powerful component of the dramatic young (under 30) and female turnout.

Unmarrieds influential voters of Youth and Females

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- “ Network exit polls reveal unmarried women continued their historically high participation in the 2008 primaries in today's Maryland and Virginia Democratic primaries, and were a powerful component of the dramatic young (under 30) and female turnout.

In an historic election based on the dramatic increase in total turnout, the significant increase in turnout of under 30 year olds, and the clear majority turnout of all women, unmarried women not only contributed to these three historic points, they were significantly drivers of these powerful trends.

"Just as they have in all of the other elections, unmarried women in Maryland and Virginia are making their voices heard," said Page Gardner, President of Women's Voices Women Vote. "In the 2008 elections, we've not only seen unmarried women participate in high numbers, but also represent a large percentage of the youth vote as well, nearly half so far this year." said Gardner. In sixteen Super Tuesday races, unmarried women were 46 percent of all Democratic voters under 30 years old, and comprised 45 percent of all women voters.

Unmarried women were a considerably larger share of the electorate than the youth vote in both states Maryland voters under 29 years old were 14 percent of the electorate; half that of the proportion of unmarried women voters. In Virginia, unmarried women participated at 150 percent the rate of the 14 percent of voters under the age of 29.

Exit polls in the Virginia and Maryland Republican primaries did not include the marital status question.

"The incredible turnout of women on their own in these early contests is a clear sign that unmarried women are the key group that is participating, and their high rates of voting span age and gender," said Gardner. "Unmarried women are playing a critical role in the 2008 elections, and demanding the attention of the Presidential candidates," said Gardner.

For the first time in history, nationally there are as many unmarried women -- single, separated, divorced, widowed -- as there are married women. There are 53 million unmarried women in the country, and they are 26 percent of eligible voters. However, compared to their married sisters, unmarried women historically are 9 percentage points less likely to register, and 13 percentage points less likely to vote. Marital status has been one of the top four determinants of whether an individual will vote.

"Ninety percent of unmarried women agreed they must speak up and make their presence felt in the national conversation, if they are not satisfied with the direction our country is headed in" said Gardner, referencing WVWV's latest research. "Our research tells us that unmarried women are proud that they're making it on their own, and feel it's time for the decision-makers in Washington to understand the societal contributions of single women, and create public policies reflective of their every-day life," said Gardner.

Women's Voices Women Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy. With a goal of registering over 1 million unmarried women to vote, WVWV is currently conducting an aggressive mail registration program, and sponsoring the "20 Million Reasons to Vote" Public Service Announcements. The PSAs feature stars such as Julia Louis Dreyfus, Jurnee Smollett, and Christine Lahti and are set in the Oval Office, evoking the importance of having women's voices heard and their power felt in electing candidates to every office. The PSAs are visible at wvwv.org.

Women's Voices. Women Vote. - WVWV Press Releases

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in Minnesota U.S. Senatorial Race

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in Minnesota U.S. Senatorial Race

Unmarried Women Propel Jim Martin to a Runoff Prove Decisive Political Force in Georgia U.S. Senatorial Race

Unmarried Women Propel Jim Martin to a Runoff Prove Decisive Political Force in Georgia U.S. Senatorial Race

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in New Hampshire U.S. Senatorial Race

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in New Hampshire U.S. Senatorial Race

Record Marriage Gap Across the Country and in New Hampshire– Unmarried Women Key Pillar of Support for Shaheen

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in North Carolina US Senatorial Race

Unmarried Women Prove Decisive Political Force in North Carolina U.S. Senatorial Race

Single Women Prove Decisive Political Force

Single Women Prove Decisive Political Force: Vote 70-29 for Obama; Married Women 47-50 for McCain

Record Marriage Gap Across the Country – Unmarried Women Key Pillar of Support for Obama

Unmarried Women Back Democrats in the House, 64-29

Largest Target Group in Electorate Deserves Pay Equity

Statement by Page S. Gardner

Voter Registration Campaign to Target Unmarried Women in 24 States

Explanation of Robo Calls and Voter Registration Efforts

William McNary Speaks Out in Support of WVWV

Voter Registration Drive Encourages Participation of Under-Represented in November Election

PSA's at Tribeca Film Festival Urge Women: Go Vote!

Unmarried Women Hardest Hit by Pay Inequity

Unmarried Women Prove Powerful Spenders, Critical Sector of American Economy

Unmarried Women Vote in Potomac Primary in Record Numbers

Single Women Prove Decisive Political Force:
Vote 70-29 for Obama;
Married Women 47-50 for McCain

Record Marriage Gap Across the Country –
Unmarried Women Key Pillar of Support for Obama