Could college women and their views on gender issues cost former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney the election? Or will a recent surge among college women put him over the top?
President Barack Obama maintains a substantial lead over Governor Romney (62.5 percent to 31.25 percent) after our most recent Her Campus poll, taken by you, our readers from October 23-25. This is despite the fact that the President polled five points higher amongst collegiettes last month, while Romney’s numbers rose more than 10 points from 20.8 percent in September.
When asked which candidate is best suited to handle the economy, Obama’s support falls to 57.95 percent, while Romney’s jumps to 36.36 percent. And if you take the Romney-Ryan campaign, make them pro-choice and pro-gay marriage and keep the rest of their platform, Democratic support falls to 48.10 percent with 18.75 percent undecided.
In the context of a nationwide election that could come down to one state, one county, or even one vote, the opportunity for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to create that type of shift on a secondary issue could be the difference between victory and defeat.
Social Issues polled fourth behind the National Debt, Unemployment and Healthcare when Her Campus readers were polled on top election issues in September. In this month’s poll, 56.82 percent of young women said that both the Federal Government and private sector banks should be held responsible in student loan reform, while 30.68 percent said that responsibility should be exclusive to the government.
Her Campus Presidential Poll – October, 2012
1. With less than two weeks to go until the election, which candidate are you voting for?
Barack Obama – 62.50%
Mitt Romney – 31.25 %
Other – 3.98 %
Undecided – 2.27 %
2. Which candidate do you feel would best handle the economy?
Barack Obama – 57.95 %
Mitt Romney – 36.36 %
Neither – 5.68 %
3. Have the debates changed your opinion of either candidate? (Check all that apply)
No, the debates did not change my opinion of either candidate. – 42.80%
Yes, I have a less favorable opinion of Romney. – 42.00 %
Yes, I have a more favorable position of Obama – 27.11 %
Yes, I have a more favorable opinion of Romney. – 12.85 %
Yes, I have a less favorable opinion of Obama. – 12.85 %
4. Suppose Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan’s platform was pro-choice and pro-gay marriage. Who would you vote for? This is assuming that their stance on all other issues remains the same.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden – 48.10 %
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan – 31.25 %
I don’t know – 18.75 %
Neither – 1.70 percent
5. Who should hold the burden of responsibility on student loan reform?
A combination of Private Sector Banks and The Federal Government – 56.82 %
The Federal Government – 30.68 %
Private Sector Banks – 7.39 %
Neither – 5.11 %
Note: Survey demographics were 172 female voters, 33 percent of which were in one of the critical swing states. (CO, FL, IA, MI, NC, NV, OH, PA, VA)