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 WOMEN Who would be good elected officials 1
What percentage of Wisconsin county board supervisors are women? of County Board Officials are Women 2
COUNTY BOARD CITY COUNCIL SCHOOL BOARD Change Between 2005 2015 + 3% + 3% County Board City Council School Board 3
Year of Parity 2105 2047 County Board City Council School Board 4
Women win elections at the same rate as men. Why don t women run? 5
Survey #1 Local elected officials surveys sent responses response rate Survey #2 Local elected officials Men Women Leaders 6
Survey #2 Local elected officials Survey #2 38 counties Local elected officials 353 surveys sent 241 responses 56% response rate 7
BARRIERS What might be some barriers to running? 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 8
ASKING FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS ASKING FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY, WORK, AND HOBBIES 9
ASKING FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY, WORK, AND HOBBIES WILLINGNESS TO MEET VOTERS ASKING FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY, WORK, AND HOBBIES WILLINGNESS TO MEET DONORS NEGATIVE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE 10
ASKING FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY, WORK, AND HOBBIES WILLINGNESS TO MEET DONORS NEGATIVE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE IMPACT ON FINANCES ASKING FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY, WORK, AND HOBBIES WILLINGNESS TO MEET DONORS NEGATIVE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE IMPACT ON FINANCES CONCERNS ABOUT CRITICISM 11
ASKING FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY, WORK, AND HOBBIES WILLINGNESS TO MEET DONORS NEGATIVE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE IMPACT ON FINANCES LACK OF SUPPORT Amount of Household Chores Current Potential 0 to 20 Hours 20 Hours or More 12
Work Outside the Home Current Potential 0 to 20 Hours 20 Hours or More 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% 5% 2% 3% 7% 10% 15% 13% 13
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 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 14
Percent of Respondents that Indicated that they had the Following Abilities or Experiences *I have public speaking experiences I have organized an event for a large group I have served on the board of a non profit organization or foundation *I have run an organization, business or foundation *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 35% 32% 34% 38% 38% 42% 43% 43% 38% 39% 38% 39% 41% 42% I interact with elected officials socially 48% 45% *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 50% 54% I have an elected official as a family member or friend 51% 56% I have attended a political party meeting, convention or event 48% Supervisors Potential LEOs 57% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 46% 46% 48% 47% Are you qualified to serve in local elected office? 15
ENCOURAGEMENT How would you encourage them to run? 16