The divide between men and women is growing and becoming increasingly influential.

Today, differences in how men and women perceive national issues, prioritizing concerns, and supporting candidates are reshaping American politics, particularly with the presidential election just 10 days away.

According to the most recent YSL News/Suffolk University national survey, a significant majority of women, 53%, support Democrat Kamala Harris compared to just 36% for Republican Donald Trump. Conversely, a similar percentage of men, 53% to 37%, favor Trump. If these trends persist until Election Day, it will mark the largest gender gap observed since it first appeared over 40 years ago, in 1980.

This year’s gender differences are notably pronounced among Latino and Black voters, alongside white voters.

Some participants have reflected on the gap within their own households.

“This topic hits close to home for me,” said Vanessa Carmona, 48, from Pasadena, California, who participated in the poll. While her husband believes a Republican presidency is better financially, she views reproductive rights as paramount, shaped by her personal experiences, including a miscarriage. “It’s heartbreaking hearing him say that, especially after what we’ve been through,” she added.

A mix of factors contributes to this divide: Trump has consistently appealed more to men throughout his political journey, while some women may be turned off by his aggressive policies and language. In contrast, Harris’ historic nomination as a woman of color resonates with many women. Additionally, the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has highlighted the relevance of abortion rights, an issue that significantly impacts women.

Here’s what our national and state polling reveals about the gender dynamics in the political landscape.

New Insights: A Significant Gender Gap Among Latino Voters

Trump’s unexpected appeal to Latino men has created a marked gender divide within a group that had typically leaned Democratic.

In a YSL News/Suffolk University survey of Latino voters in Arizona, women supported Harris by an impressive 40 points (68% to 28%), while men leaned towards Trump, albeit narrowly (48% to 46%).

This discrepancy is well beyond the margin of error of approximately 6% associated with gender-specific results.

A similar trend appeared in Nevada, with a YSL News/Suffolk survey of Hispanic voters showing women backing Harris by 39 points (68% to 29%), while men supported Trump by 6 points (50% to 44%).

The polls in Arizona and Nevada were conducted with 500 identified Hispanic voters in each state, using both landline and mobile methods between September 27 and October 2.

Shifts Among Black Voters: Men Moving Towards the GOP

While Black voters still show overwhelming support for Democrats, there are signs of increasing support for Trump among Black men.

A survey of Black voters in Michigan by YSL News/Suffolk University found that women leaned towards Harris by 72 points, while Trump garnered a mere 4 points. However, 13% of Black men indicated support for Trump, reducing Harris’ lead to 53 points—still substantial but lower than the historically reliable backing anticipated from this voter group.

George Powell, 30, a Black voter from Lansing, Michigan, identifies as a Democrat but hasn’t made a definitive choice.

“I think Kamala seems better, but I’m still undecided,” he shared in an interview following his participation in the national poll. “I lean towards her, yet I’m not completely sold on either candidate.”

In Pennsylvania, the gender divide among Black voters was even more pronounced.

Harris received support from women at 71 points (78% to 7%), according to a YSL News/Suffolk poll of Black voters, while men supported her by 48 points (63% for Harris, 15% for Trump).

The polls surveying 500 Black voters in each state were carried out from August 11 to 14, utilizing both landlines and mobile devices. The gender analysis has an error margin of about 6 points.

What Issues Are Most Important?

Both men and women agree that the economy and inflation are key issues this election year, although men prioritize it slightly more (34% compared to 26% for women).

After that, their views diverge significantly.

Women emphasize abortion and women’s rights as their second most important issue, at 17%.

In contrast, men rank abortion and women’s rights far lower, in seventh place, at just 2%, trailing concerns like immigration, democracy, and foreign affairs.

The national poll of 1,000 likely voters, conducted via landline and cell phone from October 14 to 18, has a margin of error of 3.1 points.

Are Men and Women Welcome in Their Parties?

Voters are split on whether men feel welcome in the Democratic Party and women in the GOP.

In the YSL News national poll, respondents were nearly evenly divided, with 45% agreeing that the Democratic Party prioritizes women’s issues over men’s, while 44% disagreed. When asked if the Republican Party cares more about men’s issues than women’s, the responses were similarly close, with 43% affirming and 48% negating that notion.

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The Republican Party has often been perceived as prioritizing issues pertinent to men over those affecting women.

A significant portion of Harris voters—about 75%—believe that the GOP focuses more on men’s issues.

This conversation can be quite sensitive.

“We really don’t talk about it,” commented Denise Oberlies, a 59-year-old Republican and Trump supporter from Smithtown, New York, when asked if she recognizes a gender gap in politics among her coworkers. “To maintain friendships and working relationships, you sometimes have to avoid discussing certain topics with specific individuals.”