The Evolution of Women's (and Men's) Partisan Attachments

I examine how women’s and men’s attachments with the two major political parties in the United States has evolved since the passage of the 19^th Amendment.  I contend that over time gender has become increasingly important in influencing both men’s and women’s partisan attachments. Along with identifying the similarities and differences between men and women in partisan attachments, this essay examines the unity and disunity of women’s partisan attachments.  I draw on historical analysis to understand men’s and women’s partisanship attachments immediately after the passage of the 19^th Amendment when systematic quantitative data are unavailable.  I then explore the partisan attachments of men and women between 1950-2012 using an extensive collection of Gallup Surveys from this time period.  Differences based on generation, education, race, and region are also examined.