Exploring Virginia Voters’ Views toward Women’s

Equality and Economic Security

July 7, 2015 - The National Institute for Reproductive Health commissioned

PerryUndem Research/Communication to explore Virginia voters’ views related
to the connections among reproductive decisions, including abortion rights,
women’s equality, and financial stability. The poll found that most Virginia voters
feel there is more work to be done to achieve gender equality. Close to half of
voters feel women have less financial security than men. Majorities favor a
number of proposals related to reproductive health and rights, equality, and
financial stability that are being discussed as part of the Virginia Women’s
Equality Agenda.

The survey was conducted among n = 801 registered voters statewide from
June 10 through 15, 2015. The survey was administered by telephone including
landlines and cell phones. The margin of sampling error is + 3.5 percentage
points.

Key findings include:

• Three in four registered voters in Virginia (75 percent) say there is still
work to be done to achieve full equality for women.

• Large majorities of Virginia voters support economic proposals being

discussed as part of the Women’s Equality Agenda, such as having
stronger laws to ensure equal pay for equal work (88 percent), making
sure all workers get a minimum number of paid sick days (85 percent),
and increasing the minimum wage (74 percent).

• Many voters also connect reproductive decisions and abortion access to

financial stability for women:

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 o 64 percent say a woman’s ability to control whether and when she
has children is related to her financial stability;
o 68 percent say laws that make it harder to access abortion can
have a negative impact on a woman’s financial stability.

• Two thirds of Virginia voters (67 percent) support new legislation to

protect a woman’s right to access safe and legal abortion care.

• Six in ten voters (59 percent) are unaware of a trend to curtail access to
abortion. When informed of recent laws that passed, 63 percent say they
oppose them.

• Data suggest seven in ten voters (70 percent) may be more likely to vote
for an elected official who supports a number of laws that improve
women’s financial security and equality.

• Data suggest that six in ten voters (62 percent) may be less likely to vote
for an elected official who favors more restrictions on abortion.

Virginia is the third state in which the National Institute for Reproductive Health
has commissioned a survey to explore voters’ support for broad-based agendas
that promote women’s equality, financial security, and access to reproductive
health care, including abortion. The Virginia findings – that there is widespread
support for these proposals as well as recognition by voters of the connections
between financial stability and equality and access to reproductive health care,
including abortion – track with the results from New York and Pennsylvania
(which are available at
http://nirhealth.org/documents/researchmemoexploringlinks.pdf).

Following are the detailed findings from Virginia.

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Detailed Findings

Voters see more work to be done to achieve gender equality. Three

in four registered voters in Virginia say there is still more work to be done when
it comes to equality for women in work, life, and politics. (See Figure 1.)

Fig. 1: Majority Believe More Work Needs to be

Done for Gender Equality
DK/REF
4%

Full equality
21%

Still work to
be done
75%

Q Do you think there is full equality for women in work, life, and politics
or is there still work to be done?

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Majorities of voters across all demographic groups and geographic regions say
more work needs to be done on equality. Women are more likely than men to
see more work needing to be done (84 percent vs. 66 percent), and Democrats
are more likely to feel this way than Republicans (91 percent vs. 62 percent).
(See Table 1.)

Table 1: Reactions to Status of Gender Equality

% Full Equality % M ore W ork

Now To Be Done
Total 21% 75%
Men 29% 66%
Women 14% 84%
White 23% 73%
African American 10% 89%
18 to 29 year olds 26% 70%
30 to 39 year olds 19% 77%
40 to 49 year olds1 25% 73%
50-64 year olds 20% 77%
65+ year olds 17% 79%
High school or less 20% 72%
Some college 20% 77%
College educated 20% 77%
Democrats 8% 91%
Independents 20% 74%
Republicans 34% 62%
Hampton Roads 17% 81%
Northern VA 21% 78%
Richmond area 24% 74%
South 23% 67%

                                                                                                               
1
Note: 40-49 year olds throughout the report have a small n size, n=91

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Close to half of respondents say women have less financial stability
than men. Respondents were given the following definition of “financial
stability:”

I want to ask you about financial stability. By financial stability, I

mean having a stable income and enough resources to have a
decent standard of living now and in the future.

Nearly half (47 percent) of respondents say, overall, women have less financial
stability than men; 42 percent say they have the same level of financial stability
as men. Eight percent say women have more financial stability than men. (See
Figure 2.)

Fig. 2: Nearly 1 in 2 Say Women Have Less

Financial Stability than Men

DK/Ref
2%
More than
men
8%

Less than
men
About the 47%
same level
42%

Q I want to ask you about financial stability. By financial stability,

I mean having a stable income and enough resources to have a
decent standard of living now and in the future. Overall, do you
think women have less financial stability than men, about the
same level of financial stability, or more financial stability than
men?

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Women and Democrats are much more likely to say that women have less
financial stability than men. (See Table 2.)

Table 2: Financial Stability of W om en Com pared to M en

% Less than % M ore than % About the
m en m en sam e
Total 47% 8% 42%
Men 33% 8% 55%
Women 60% 7% 32%
White 49% 6% 42%
African American 46% 13% 40%
18 to 29 year olds 47% 9% 43%
30 to 39 year olds 37% 8% 51%
40 to 49 year olds 42% 10% 45%
50-64 year olds 54% 5% 40%
65+ year olds 52% 7% 36%
High school or less 47% 7% 43%
Some college 49% 9% 39%
College educated 48% 6% 44%
Democrats 62% 6% 31%
Independents 45% 10% 40%
Republicans 32% 6% 61%
Hampton Roads 51% 5% 42%
Northern VA 50% 7% 40%
Richmond area 40% 7% 52%
South 45% 15% 40%

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A majority of voters see a link between a woman’s financial stability
and her ability to control when and whether she has children. Almost
two thirds of respondents (64 percent) say a woman’s ability to control whether
and when she has children is related to her financial stability. (See Figure 3.)

Fig. 3: Control over Reproductive Decisions

Related to Financial Stability

DK/Not
sure
8%

No
29% Yes
64%

Q Do you think a woman’s ability to control whether or when

she has children is related to her financial stability? N=400

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Slightly more than half (57 percent) say a woman’s ability to control whether and
when she has children is related to equality for women. (See Figure 4.)

Fig. 4: Control over Reproductive

Decisions Related to Equality

DK/Not
sure
5%

No
37%
Yes
57%

Q Do you think a woman’s ability to control whether or when

she has children is related to equality for women? N=401

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A majority of Republicans say that a woman’s control over her reproductive
decisions can affect her financial stability (60 percent), but most Republicans do
not see a link to women’s equality (38 percent see a link). Majorities of
independents and Democrats see a link to both issues. (See Table 3.)

Table 3: A W om an’s Ability to Control Reproductive Decisions

Related to Financial Stability, Equality

% Yes, % No, % Yes, % No,

Financial Financial Equality Equality
Stability Stability
Total 64% 29% 57% 37%
Men 61% 32% 54% 39%
Women 65% 26% 60% 36%
High school or less 60% 31% 53% 40%
Some college 57% 33% 62% 32%
College educated 69% 25% 56% 39%
Democrats 69% 22% 76% 18%
Independents 63% 30% 56% 37%
Republicans 60% 34% 38% 58%

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A majority of voters see a link between abortion restrictions and
financial stability for women. Two thirds of respondents (68 percent) say
laws that make it harder to access abortion can have a negative impact on a
woman’s financial stability. (See Figure 5.)

Fig. 5: Abortion Restrictions Negatively

Impact Financial Stability

DK/Not
sure
8%

No
24%
Yes,
negative
impact
68%

Q Do you think laws that make it harder to access abortion can

have a negative impact on a woman’s financial stability? N=400

Higher-educated voters and Democrats are particularly likely to see links

between restrictions and financial stability for women. (See Table 4.)

Table 4: Im pact of Restrictions on Financial Stability

% Yes - negative % No
im pact
Total 68% 24%
Men 65% 29%
Women 70% 21%
High school or less 55% 35%
Some college 65% 24%
College educated 74% 20%
Democrats 81% 16%
Independents 59% 21%
Republicans 57% 36%

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Voters support a number of key proposals being discussed as part
of the Virginia Women’s Equality Agenda. The survey gauged reactions
to a number of ideas being considered as part of the Women’s Equality Agenda.
A majority of voters express support for each of these ideas, with half or more
expressing strong support. (See Table 5.)

Table 5: Reactions to Proposals in the W om en’s Equality Agenda

Total Strngly Smwt Smwt Strngly DK/
Supp Supp Supp Opp Opp REF
Using federal funds to expand
Medicaid so that very low-income
72 51 22 9 14 4
women and men in Virginia can
get health insurance
Protecting women’s access to
birth control, even if her boss 82 69 12 4 9 5
disagrees
Making sure all workers in the
state get a minimum number of 85 64 21 6 7 2
paid sick days
Having stronger laws to ensure
88 74 14 4 6 2
equal pay for equal work
Increasing the minimum wage,
which affects more women than 74 55 20 9 14 2
men
Having non-partisan redistricting
so that the election maps are not 81 54 26 4 6 10
slanted by either political party
Protecting a woman’s right to
access safe and legal abortion 67 51 16 6 22 5
care

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A majority of voters support the Virginia Women’s Equality Agenda,
based on the individual proposals they heard. Seventy-nine percent
support a package of laws they heard, with 49 percent expressing strong
support. Seventeen percent of voters oppose the package of proposals. (See
Figure 6.)

Fig. 6: Strong Support for the Women's

Equality Agenda

DK/Ref
Strongly 5%
oppose
10%
Smwt
oppose
7%
Strongly
support
49%
Smwt
support
30%

Q Based on the ideas you just heard, would you support or

oppose this package of laws, also called the Women’s Equality
Agenda?

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Large majorities across all demographic and geographic segments support the
ideas they heard in the Women’s Equality Agenda. Support is strongest among
women, African-American voters, and Democrats. Two thirds of Republicans (65
percent) also support what they heard in the Women’s Equality Agenda. (See
Table 6.)

Table 6: Support or Oppose the W om en’s Equality Act

% Support % Oppose
Total 79% 16%
Men 73% 20%
Women 84% 13%
White 75% 20%
African American 92% 4%
18 to 29 year olds 83% 14%
30 to 39 year olds 80% 17%
40 to 49 year olds 78% 18%
50-64 year olds 79% 16%
65+ year olds 76% 16%
High school or less 84% 12%
Some college 83% 10%
College educated 76% 21%
Democrats 95% 3%
Independents 75% 17%
Republicans 65% 32%
Hampton Roads 86% 11%
Northern VA 81% 14%
Richmond area 72% 23%
South 79% 16%

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Many voters are unaware of recent laws passed in Virginia to restrict
abortion. Respondents were read the following information about recent laws
passed on abortion:

Several proposals in Virginia recently became law. One law requires

women to undergo an ultrasound even if it is not medically necessary.
Another law makes it illegal for Medicaid to cover abortion care even
when the woman’s health is at risk. Another new law says clinics must
close down if they do not rebuild according to new rules that only apply
to abortion providers. Another new law makes it illegal for private health
insurance companies to sell Marketplace plans that include coverage for
abortion care.

Six in ten voters (59 percent) have not heard about these new laws. (See Figure
7.)

Fig. 7: Majority Have Not Heard About These

Laws
DK/Not
sure
1%

Yes
40%

No
59%

Q Did you know about this trend in Virginia to restrict access to abortion?

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Majorities across most demographic groups have not heard about the trend to
restriction access to abortion in Virginia. Those least likely to know about these
restrictions include African-American voters, voters in Southern parts of Virginia,
and those with a high school degree or less. (See Table 7.)

Table 7: Heard of Trend to Restrict Abortion

% Yes % No
Total 40% 59%
Men 41% 59%
Women 40% 59%
White 44% 55%
African American 30% 69%
18 to 29 year olds 34% 66%
30 to 39 year olds 37% 63%
40 to 49 year olds 48% 51%
50-64 year olds 44% 55%
65+ year olds 36% 60%
High school or less 24% 76%
Some college 35% 64%
College educated 51% 48%
Democrats 45% 54%
Independents 37% 61%
Republicans 37% 63%
Hampton Roads 39% 59%
Northern VA 44% 56%
Richmond area 47% 52%
South 29% 71%

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Six in ten voters say they oppose recent laws passed on abortion.
After hearing about the recent laws passed related to abortion, 63 percent say
they oppose the new laws and 30 percent support the new laws. Voters are
more likely to strongly oppose than strongly support these new laws. (See
Figure 8.)

Fig. 8: Majority Opposes Recent Abortion

Laws
DK
7%
Strongly Support
support 30%
12%
Smwt
support
Oppose 18%
63%
Strongly
oppose
43% Smwt
oppose
20%

Q In general, do you support or oppose these new laws?

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Republicans are also more likely to oppose than support the recent laws (52
percent vs. 40 percent). (See Table 8.)

Table 8: Support and O pposition for Recent Abortion Laws

% Support % Oppose
Total 30% 62%
Men 34% 61%
Women 26% 63%
White 28% 64%
African American 33% 57%
18 to 29 year olds 39% 53%
30 to 39 year olds 27% 61%
40 to 49 year olds 33% 60%
50-64 year olds 26% 69%
65+ year olds 27% 64%
High school or less 35% 57%
Some college 32% 61%
College educated 26% 65%
Democrats 25% 72%
Independents 25% 63%
Republicans 40% 52%
Hampton Roads 30% 61%
Northern VA 30% 62%
Richmond area 26% 67%
South 34% 59%

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Two-thirds of Virginia voters support the idea of legislation to
protect a woman’s right to access safe and legal abortion. As part of
the ideas in the Women’s Equality Agenda, 67 percent of respondents say they
would support protecting a woman’s right to access safe and legal abortion
care. Fifty-one percent strongly support this idea. Twenty-eight percent oppose
this idea. (See Figure 9.)

Fig. 9: Majority Supports Protecting Access to

Abortion Care
DK
5%

Strongly
oppose
22% Strongly
support
51%
Smwt
oppose Smwt
6% support
16%

Q Would you support or oppose protecting a women’s right to

access safe and legal abortion care? (Is that strongly or
somewhat support/oppose?)

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Majorities across demographic and geographic areas support protecting
abortion access, with the exception of Republicans who are more evenly split (50
percent support and 42 percent oppose). (See Table 9.)

Table 9: Support or Oppose Protecting W om an’s Right to Abortion Care

% Support % Oppose
Total 67% 28%
Men 65% 30%
Women 70% 25%
White 65% 30%
African American 78% 17%
18 to 29 year olds 74% 18%
30 to 39 year olds 67% 30%
40 to 49 year olds 67% 29%
50-64 year olds 66% 31%
65+ year olds 63% 28%
High school or less 59% 34%
Some college 68% 26%
College educated 72% 24%
Democrats 85% 10%
Independents 64% 30%
Republicans 50% 46%
Hampton Roads 71% 21%
Northern VA 75% 21%
Richmond area 68% 28%
South 61% 35%

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Voters say they are more likely to vote to re-elect an elected official
who supports the package of ideas they heard. Data suggest seven in
ten voters (70 percent) may be more likely to vote for an elected official who
supports a package of laws they heard in the survey (see Table 4). One in seven
(16 percent) says they would be less likely to re-elect their official if he or she
supported the package. (See Figure 10.)

Figure 10: Likelihood to Re-elect Official Who Supports

Package of Laws

70%
Somewhat
Much

29%

41% 16%
6%
10% 8% 6%
More likely Less Likely No difference DK

Q If your elected official supported this package of laws, would

you be more or less likely to vote to re-elect him or her? (Would
you be much more/less or just somewhat more/less likely?)

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Majorities across all demographic groups, party affiliations, and regions of the
state say they would be more likely to re-elect an official who supports this
package of laws. Democrats and African-American voters are strongest in their
support. (See Table 10.)

Table 10: Likelihood of Re-electing Official W ho Supports Package

% M ore Likely % Less Likely

Total 70% 16%
Men 63% 22%
Women 76% 11%
White 64% 21%
African American 89% 2%
18 to 29 year olds 73% 14%
30 to 39 year olds 71% 19%
40 to 49 year olds 73% 17%
50-64 year olds 69% 16%
65+ year olds 65% 16%
High school or less 68% 13%
Some college 77% 9%
College educated 68% 20%
Democrats 91% 2%
Independents 64% 14%
Republicans 53% 33%
Hampton Roads 79% 10%
Northern VA 71% 15%
Richmond area 67% 19%
South 70% 18%

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Voters say they are less likely to vote to re-elect an elected official
who is in favor of laws to make it harder for women to get an
abortion. Data suggest that six in ten voters (62 percent) may be less likely to
vote for an elected official who favors more restrictions on abortion. One in four
(26 percent) says they would be more likely to vote for someone who favors
restrictions. (See Figure 11.)

Fig. 11: Majority Is Less Likely to Re-elect Official Who

Support Restrictions

62%

Somewhat
20% Much

26%

10% 42%

16%
6% 5%
More likely Less Likely No difference DK

Q Let’s say your elected official was in favor of laws that make it
harder for women to get an abortion. Would you be more or
less likely to vote to re-elect this elected official? (Would you be
much more/less or just somewhat more/less likely?)

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Democrats and African-American voters are the most inclined to say they would
be less likely to re-elect an official who supported these restrictions.
Independents are two to one less likely (53 percent) to re-elect officials who
support these restrictions than more likely (23 percent) to re-elect them, and
Republicans are more evenly split (46 percent less likely vs. 42 percent more
likely. (See Table 11.)

Table 11: Likelihood to Re-Elect O fficial W ho Supports Restrictions

% M ore % Less Likely

likely
Total 26% 62%
Men 28% 60%
Women 25% 64%
White 28% 61%
African American 18% 70%
18 to 29 year olds 23% 64%
30 to 39 year olds 26% 60%
40 to 49 year olds 32% 60%
50-64 year olds 29% 64%
65+ year olds 22% 62%
High school or less 26% 62%
Some college 24% 60%
College educated 27% 64%
Democrats 12% 83%
Independents 28% 53%
Republicans 42% 46%
Hampton Roads 23% 67%
Northern VA 23% 64%
Richmond area 25% 60%
South 32% 56%

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Conclusion

Virginia voters say that more work needs to be done to improve women’s
equality in the state – and they are largely supportive of efforts to advance the
issue. Support crosses all demographic segments and geographic areas of the
state. Data suggest voters make connections among reproductive decisions,
abortion, financial stability, and women’s equality.

Most voters disagree with recent efforts to restrict abortion and a majority say
they support proposals to protect a woman’s right to abortion.

The survey suggests a favorable political reality for women’s equality and the
protection of abortion access. A majority of voters say they would be more likely
to re-elect an official who supported a package of laws designed to help
women; a similar majority would be less likely to vote for an official who tried to
restrict abortion access.

This landscape suggests that most Virginia voters support initiatives designed to
protect abortion access, advance women’s financial stability, and ensure
women’s equality.

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Survey Methods

The survey was conducted by telephone among n = 801 registered Virginia

voters statewide from June 10 through 15, 2015. The survey was administered
by random digit telephone dialing, and it included interviews conducted by
both landline and cell phones (50 percent of each). The data were weighted
slightly be gender, age, race and ethnicity. The margin of sampling error is + 3.5
percentage points.

Survey Com position

% of
Respondents
Total 100%
Men 46%
Women 54%
White 72%
African American 20%
Latino 4%
18 to 29 year olds 19%
30 to 39 year olds 18%
40 to 49 year olds 16%
50-64 year olds 28%
65+ year olds 19%
High school or less 22%
Some college 25%
College educated 51%
Democrats 39%
Independents 23%
Republicans 34%
Hampton Roads 21%
Northern VA 33%
Richmond area 16%
South 19%

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