Wisconsin's gender gap and how pivotal it can be in November

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Poll after poll in this election shows the gender gap is getting wider and deeper.

It's on track to become the largest divide between male and women voters in America when it comes to their choice for president.

In Wisconsin, there's a 26-point gap in how women and men view Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Harris holds a +14 advantage among women voters, while Trump is +12 among men, according to a series of polls conducted by Marquette Law School from July to late September.

Larger gaps also persist among other demographic groups. Marquette's Poll Director Charles Franklin said it underscores how gender and race can play a significant role in electing the new president.

"I think we've seen the gender divide building and building over the decades," said Franklin. "And now it seems like it's at relatively historic highs."

The results reflect new polling by CBS News and YouGov, breaking down the gender divide which reflect attitudes about larger social matters, such as gender equality in the U.S.

The poll also concluded more women believe only Harris has the cognitive health to serve, and more men think Trump would be a "strong leader."

The gender gap is not a new phenomenon, but this year it could have major implications on the election outcome because of how tight the presidential race is.

In recent weeks, both campaigns have gone beyond the traditional airwaves and appeared on podcasts to try and appeal to the opposite gender.

Podcast host Alex Cooper interviewed Harris on her popular “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Spotify's second-biggest podcast that has an overwhelmingly female audience.

On Friday, Trump sat down with podcast star and UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The episode has over 27 million views on YouTube as of today.

It's unclear whether the strategy by both campaigns will pay off, but Franklin doubts it can make a significant impact.

"It's just late in the game to bring about big changes at this point," he said.

Democratic strategists believe despite Harris' challenge connecting with some male voters, they are confident the vice president can make up ground with women voters in the crucial Milwaukee suburbs.

"A lot of them are going to be voting that is different than they have ever voted in the past," said Melissa Baldauff, a Democratic strategist. "There are women who have always voted the way their dad or their husband voted and now they are really thinking about what is the right choice for me."

Baldauff added Trump has a "huge problem" with suburban women in the WOW counties - Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington - all once reliably red counties that now have some neighborhoods turning bluer in recent statewide races.

The Trump campaign did not directly respond to questions about the gender gap in Wisconsin, but in a statement a spokeswoman criticized Harris, who has an edge over Trump with women voters.

"Kamala Harris may be the first woman Vice President but she has implemented dangerously liberal policies that have left women worse off financially and far less safe than we were four years ago under President Trump," said Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign national press secretary.