Why Don t More Women Run?

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Constance Pamela Poole
5 years ago
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1 Why Don t More Women Run? Political Ambition, Women, and Local Government Jenny Erickson, University of Wisconsin Extension Sauk County Dan Hill, Local Government Center Victoria Solomon, University of Wisconsin Extension Green County

2 5 WOMEN Who would be good elected officials

3 WHAT DO YOU THINK? What percentage of Wisconsin county board supervisors are women?

4 19% of County Board Officials are Women

5 19% 23% 40% COUNTY BOARD CITY COUNCIL SCHOOL BOARD

6 Change Between % + 3% County Board City Council School Board

7 Year of Parity County Board City Council School Board

8 EXISTING RESEARCH

9 TRUE OR FALSE? Women win elections at the same rate as men.

10 ??? Why don t women run?

11 Survey #1 CURRENT Local elected officials 1,609 surveys sent 592 responses 37% response rate

12 Survey #2 POTENTIAL Local elected officials 5 Men 5 Women 5 Leaders

13 Survey #2 POTENTIAL Local elected officials

14 Survey #2 POTENTIAL Local elected officials 38 counties 353 surveys sent 241 responses 56% response rate

15 BARRIERS What might be some barriers to running?

16 Top 10 Barriers for Potential Local Elected Officials (PLEO) Lack interest or willingness to ask for campaign funds 14% 58% Time away from family or home responsibilities 11% 57% Time away from other activities I enjoy Time away from work responsibilities 12% 14% 51% 53% I lack interest/willingness to meet voters door-to-door 9% 41% Negative political atmosphere in local government 9% 38% Concern about the impact on my finances 6% 35% Spouse, partner or family being subjected to criticism from constituents 6% 29% I have concerns about reprisals or criticism 5% 26% I perceive a lack of support for my candidacy 1% 25% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Current Supervisors Potentials

17 Current Potential Amount of Household Chores 0 to 20 Hours 20 Hours or More

18 Current Potential Work Outside the Home 0 to 20 Hours 20 Hours or More

19 20% 15% 18% 15% 14% 14% 13% 13% DIFFERENCES Between Women and Men PLEOs on Significance of Barriers 10% 12% 11% 10% 10% 5% 6% 6% 5% 5% 5% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% -1% -2% -3% -5% -7% -10% -15% -13%

20 CONCERNS ABOUT CRITICISM HESITANT TO RUN AGAINST AN INCUMBENT FEAR OF FAILURE & LOSING CONCERNS ABOUT MAKING DECISIONS IN PUBLIC NEGATIVE GENDER BIAS UNCERTAIN ABOUT DOING A GOOD JOB

21 Barriers with Statistically Significant Differences Between Female and Male Potential Local Elected Officials I am concerned about race or ethnicity bias against me 2.40% 3.40% I don t think I would do a good job in elected office 3.60% 8.40% I am concerned about my "otherness," such as being a new resident, English as a second language, of a different religion, etc. 3.50% 14.20% I am concerned about gender bias against me 1.20% 15.10% I have concerns about making decisions in public 4.70% 18.90% I have a fear of failure/ losing the election 8.20% 19.70% I don't want to run against the incumbent 5.90% 23.90% I have concerns about reprisals or criticism 17.60% 30.80% 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 35.00% Male Potentials Female Potentials

22 Percent of Respondents that Indicated that they had the Following Abilities or Experiences *I have public speaking experiences 32% 35% I have organized an event for a large group 34% 42% I have served on the board of a non-profit organization or foundation *I have run an organization, business or foundation 38% 38% 43% 43% *I know many people in the community I have interacted with elected officials as part of my job *I have attended local government meetings I have solicted funds for an organization, interest group or cause I have participated in a leadership development program 38% 39% 38% 39% 41% 42% 46% 46% 48% 47% I interact with elected officials socially 45% 48% *I am informed about local public policy issues 36% 45% I have served on an appointed local government committee, commission or board 50% 52% I have worked or volunteered for a candidate 48% 52% I have attended a state legislative committee meeting or floor session I have an elected official as a family member or friend 50% 51% 54% 56% I have attended a political party meeting, convention or event Supervisors Potential LEOs 48% 57% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

23 Are you qualified to serve in local elected office? 60% 71%

24 ENCOURAGEMENT How would you encourage them to run?

25 1. INFORMED ON LOCAL ISSUES

26 2. KNOWING MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS

27 3. ATTENDING LOCAL GOV. MEETINGS

28 4. PUBLIC SPEAKING EXPERIENCE

29 5. LEADING AN ORGANIZATION OR BUSINESS

30 ??? What are the barriers to running for local elected office?

Political Ambition, Women, and Local Government

Political Ambition, Women, and Local Government Jenny Erickson, University of Wisconsin Extension Sauk County Dan Hill, Local Government Center Victoria Solomon, University of Wisconsin Extension Green