By Matt Underwood 
Female voter turnout in the recent US election was high, with early exit polls showing women accounting for 53% of the vote, six points ahead of men. This surge in female participation was seen as a potential boost for Kamala Harris, who had campaigned heavily on issues like abortion and the threat to democracy posed by Donald Trump.
While exit polls are not always accurate, the high female turnout was a positive sign for Harris’ campaign. Additionally, the polls showed that voters considered the state of democracy as the most important issue in the election, which aligned with Harris’ campaign focus.
The fact that 35% of voters cited the future of democracy as a top concern, exceeding economic concerns (31%) and even abortion (18%), indicated a strong desire for change and a rejection of the divisive rhetoric that characterized the election.
However, despite the high female turnout and the emphasis on democracy, the election results ultimately did not favor Harris. Many expressed disappointment and confusion, wondering how Trump could win with such a high percentage of women voting. Some questioned the reliability of exit polls, while others pointed to the perceived underperformance of Harris among women voters.
The discrepancies between the high female turnout and the election results led to a wave of discussions and analyses. Some pointed to the complexities of political preferences, suggesting that women may have been motivated by a variety of factors beyond Harris’ campaign. Others highlighted the influence of other issues and candidates on the outcome of the election.
Ultimately, the high female turnout in the US election was a significant development, reflecting a strong sense of engagement and concern among women voters. While it did not translate into a victory for Harris, it emphasized the crucial role women play in shaping the political landscape.