BBCThe 2024 presidential election is the primary for the reason that Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, which protected the nation’s proper to abortion.
The gender hole has been evident on this election, with polls suggesting Kamala Harris has a bonus amongst ladies and former President Donald Trump enjoys an identical benefit amongst males.
The BBC spoke to ladies voters about how they view gender and abortion as they vote within the last days of the marketing campaign.
Michelle works as a high quality engineer in Arizona. The 38-year-old is a registered Republican, however plans to vote for Kamala Harris.
I’m involved about ladies’s rights and girls’s healthcare. I’m not a single-issue voter, however that is big. I work within the medical discipline and was personally affected tremendously by the overturning of Roe v Wade as a result of I used to be unable to entry most of the drugs I wanted. No one was certain what the legality was… though they’re used for different issues.
The entire Republican place is smaller authorities and never letting the federal government make my private selections, so why are they attempting to legislate what a lady can do along with her physique?
(A Harris presidency) would imply that each one the issues my mother and father instructed me after I was youthful had been true — that simply since you’re a woman doesn’t suggest you are restricted.
This Texas nurse practitioner voted for Trump within the final presidential election and plans to assist him once more.
(Trump) undoubtedly mentioned issues he in all probability should not have mentioned. I ought to wag my finger at this, particularly as a lady, however I have never heard something but that might change my thoughts about my vote.
I do not vote based mostly on persona. I vote for politics. I haven’t got to marry that man. I haven’t got to take care of him. I’ve to take care of his insurance policies.
Regarding abortion, (Harris) doesn’t present a gestational parameter of how late somebody can miscarry. It cannot be an open-ended factor. I used to be a NICU nurse for 17 years… I care about ladies’s rights. I’m considering ladies. The mom is the primary affected person. However, that is for me the truth that she does not give me a solution.
This Illinois Democrat plans to vote for Harris on Election Day. He beforehand supported the Democratic ticket in 2020, voting for Joe Biden.
I’m undoubtedly involved concerning the path reproductive rights are stepping into some components of the nation. I believe Trump’s makes an attempt to convey that he understands why (reproductive rights) are an necessary challenge for girls have failed dismally.
I believe Harris has an innate understanding of her significance, just by being a lady and a lady of shade. Would I such as you to put out your plans to probably broaden reproductive rights slightly extra? Absolutely. But Trump has set the bar so low that he actually may proceed not mentioning it and would nonetheless do a greater job.
(A Harris presidency) brings tears to my eyes simply fascinated with it. I’ve a 9 12 months outdated daughter and he or she is sufficiently old to begin having aspirations and being attentive to the world round her.
This library assistant voted for Trump in 2020, however now stays undecided and is contemplating “coming into” a candidate, that’s, casting a vote for somebody who isn’t formally a candidate.
This is not my first rodeo and I’m on the level in my life the place I can look previous the hype they do for 2 particular teams.
It’s great that Harris is a lady who’s critically working for president, has been vp, and has some expertise. But Trump, when he was in workplace, I wasn’t too troubled by what he was doing.
I would not thoughts having a feminine president, however a part of Harris’ political doctrine and what I believe is correct do not coincide.
Angela is a graduate scholar at Iowa. Democrat, she supported Biden within the final presidential elections and intends to vote for Harris.
I would like this to be a second of celebration as we elect a lady of shade to our highest workplace, however sadly, given the shut election towards Trump and the way disappointing (Harris’) marketing campaign was on a number of the points that matter to per me, it has been arduous to be as celebratory as I’d like.
Obviously abortion is a large downside that must be addressed, however I’m not essentially glad, I ought to say, with both candidate’s strategy to addressing the difficulty.
I perceive that Harris has a coverage the place she desires to codify Roe v Wade, however I believe ladies’s rights and points lengthen past simply entry to abortion. Trump may be very obscure on the difficulty of ladies’s rights, so it is troublesome to nail him down on anybody place.
This retired Republican who plans to vote for Trump. He additionally supported the previous president in 2020.
I believe (Trump) is basically the one choice as a result of I believe Harris is simply clueless and incompetent. I believe it could be a catastrophe for this nation, simply to hearken to her mumbling and escaping. I simply have a horrible feeling about him.
I’m pro-choice, truly, inside purpose. Not a late-term abortion. I do not agree with this. But I believe Trump, relegating (the laws) to the states themselves, is sensible.
Harris does not have a lot to go on, in order that’s his huge energy with ladies. In different phrases, he does not have a lot substance, so he retains harping on the abortion challenge.
This impartial voted for Biden within the 2020 presidential election and voted by mail this 12 months supporting Harris.
Reproductive rights for girls are big to me as a lady, particularly residing within the state of Florida the place there may be an modification on the poll that may guarantee abortion rights are protected.
I actually wish to assist a celebration that helps reproductive rights for girls and never simply ladies, however everybody, as a result of what can we are saying that will not unfold elsewhere? It begins with ladies, often, however goes on and on.
Our authorities is a minimum of 50 years behind the occasions on many issues, particularly different nations all over the world which have higher illustration. I’ve a niece who I like dearly. The incontrovertible fact that she will be able to see (a feminine president), and that it is a regular factor for her, will likely be big.
This impartial voter from Georgia describes herself as a left-wing reasonable. Because of his religion and anti-abortion views, he’s not supporting Harris or Trump this 12 months.
I used to be truly going to vote for Harris, however then she began harping on about how abortion is a reproductive well being challenge… I’m Catholic. I’m pro-life.
The downside I’ve discovered is that I do not know the way a Catholic can vote for somebody who spews issues like we noticed (from Trump) not too long ago at Madison Square Garden. I take very critically the injunction to welcome the stranger and to feed and dress him.
So, below the circumstances, I’ve nobody I can vote for.
This retired Texas resident voted for Biden within the final presidential election and voted early in assist of Harris.
I’m so scared. We truly cannot return. It’s very scary for me. I had extra rights than my granddaughter could have sooner or later and that is not honest.
It’s so disturbing that it is so shut. (Trump) is a felon free on bail. I do not perceive Republicans. They had been as soon as the celebration of legislation and order, supposedly, and now that is it.
I believe loads of ladies come out and say, “Why are you telling us what to do with our our bodies?” Abortion is a private factor and is dependent upon the physician and the lady. It’s none of my enterprise.
In the run-up to Election Day, BBC Voter Voices hears from Americans throughout the nation about what issues to them.
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