Wellesley Women Weigh in on the 2016 Presidential Election
There’s still a long way to go in the presidential race, but we know one thing for sure: women will play a significant role in this election. Wellesley’s Class of 2016 is remarkably diverse and politically engaged—and will, in just a few months, cast their first votes for president. As our Seniors head off to make their respective marks on the world, they are also making their political opinions known: the results of the Wellesley 2016 Election Poll give a glimpse into what is resonating with these young women today.
Key Takeaways:
-
Wellesley women predominantly support one of their own. 65% support Hillary Clinton, Class of 1969. But our graduates are not a monolithic group: 14% support Bernie Sanders and 2% support Donald Trump. Moreover, they overwhelmingly report that the gender of a political candidate matters only a little (51%) or not at all (31%) when it comes to this election.
-
Most important issues to Wellesley 2016 graduates: racial and gender equality (22%), income inequality (20%), and foreign policy/affairs (12%). Issues such as terrorism (0%) and national defense (1%) were not considered among the most important issues for them.
-
In contrast to perceptions that millennials are less likely to fulfill their civic duty, the Class of 2016 says it is registered to vote (79%) or planning to do so (14%) before the November 8 election.
Answer | Response | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Yes |
|
146 | 79% |
Not yet, but I plan to register |
|
26 | 14% |
No, and I don't plan to register |
|
13 | 7% |
Total |
|
215 | 100% |
Answer | Response | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Hillary Clinton |
|
130 | 65% |
Bernie Sanders |
|
29 | 14% |
Donald Trump |
|
5 | 2% |
A third party |
|
1 | 0% |
A write-in candidate |
|
1 | 0% |
I am undecided |
|
32 | 16% |
I don't plan on voting |
|
3 | 1% |
Total |
|
201 | 100% |
Answer | Response | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Democrat |
|
141 | 70.3% |
Republican |
|
15 | 7.4% |
Unaffiliated/Independent |
|
45 | 22.3% |
Total |
|
201 | 100% |
Answer | Response | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Racial and gender equality |
|
55 | 26% |
Income inequality |
|
42 | 20% |
Foreign policy/affairs |
|
26 | 12% |
Education |
|
24 | 11% |
Jobs and the economy |
|
22 | 10% |
Healthcare/Healthcare costs/Healthcare reform |
|
18 | 8% |
The economy |
|
11 | 5% |
Climate change/the environment |
|
5 | 3% |
* Something else (please specify) |
|
5 | 3% |
The federal deficit/The budget |
|
4 | 2% |
Defense/National Defense/Homeland security |
|
2 | 1% |
Terrorism |
|
1 | 0% |
Total |
|
201 | 100% |
- * Something else (please specify):
- “Social safety net”
- “I honestly couldn't narrow it down.
- “Gun safety”
- “Immigration and refugee policy.”
- “I care about all of them, except for terrorism which is an vastly overblown fear”
Answer | Response | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Not at all |
|
67 | 31% |
A little |
|
109 | 51% |
A lot |
|
39 | 18% |
Total |
|
201 | 100% |
Note: Responses to questions 2-5 include only those that responded to the first question: "Yes" or "Not yet, but I plan to register."