Fewer Americans say more women officeholders would benefit country: Gallup

A recent Gallup poll reveals that 57% of U.S. adults believe having more women in political office would benefit the nation’s governance, echoing sentiments first recorded in 1999.

Despite this stable positive outlook, the proportion believing it would worsen governance has risen from 14% to 22%, and those seeing no difference have simultaneously decreased.

While the belief that more female leaders are beneficial has maintained steady since Gallup’s first measurement in 1999, it has experienced a decline from a peak of 63% in 2014. Meanwhile, the opposing viewpoint has seen a gradual increase over the years.

Women’s representation in various levels of political office has reached all-time highs, though it is short of their 50% share of the adult population. Statistics show women’s presence ranging between one-fourth and one-third across the different layers of government, with notable figures such as Kamala Harris as the vice president and four women currently serving as U.S. Supreme Court justices.

The changes in viewpoints among political parties may have been influenced by key events, including Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential candidacy, a surge of Democratic women in Congress in 2018, and California Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s time as House speaker.

For Republicans, their preferences may also reflect the current political atmosphere, especially with the 2024 Republican primaries in mind.

Advocates for more female leaders say that historical, structural and cultural impediments continue to challenge women’s rise in politics. Nonetheless, the increasing belief in women’s positive influence in governance might contribute to their ongoing success in elections.

However, polarized partisan views on female leadership could potentially obstruct progress, particularly for Republican women.