Tulsa World: Women in Oklahoma vote more than men

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Women in Oklahoma vote more than men

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 11/9/2009 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 11/9/2009 3:53 AM

A majority of Oklahoma voters are female, and 153,000 more women than men voted in the November 2008 election, but the state continues to rank poorly on female health and socioeconomic factors.

A recent study by Oklahoma State University political science professor Bob Darcy and his students showed that women make up 58 percent of registered Democrats and 53 percent of registered Republicans in Oklahoma.

Still, the state has the second lowest proportion of women serving in the Capitol. It also ranks 47th in overall women's health, according to the study.

"I think that the candidates are not focused on an Oklahoma woman voter," Darcy said.

A higher percentage of the female population has voted than the male population, and more votes have been from women in Oklahoma since 1980, he said.

Also, women of the same age are more likely to vote than men of the same age. Older people are more likely to vote, and women live longer, he said.

"The effect is for women to be much more engaged than men," Darcy said.

Paradoxically, Oklahoma continues to incarcerate women more than any other state and ranks in the bottom 10 of states for appointing women to policy positions, and for women in poverty, he said.

"The impact of sex on vote and party registration is interesting, but the real impact is the numbers," he said.

After hearing about the study, state Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa, said she is glad to hear that more women are voting, but would like to see a larger number getting involved.

The reason fewer women are on the ballot could be because they are focused on their families and don't think of politics as a career, McDaniel said.

"I think a lot of women are busy raising children and getting through their careers," she said.

She hears a lot from female constituents, and sees more and more women speaking out about issues important to them, she said.

Some women have said they don't think they have the background or knowledge to serve in the Legislature, but McDaniel is quick to debunk that theory.

"If you can raise a family in today's world ... you can do it," she said.

OSU students in three of Darcy's classes worked on the study during the year. They compiled and analyzed information from the state election board and dissected the data at county level.

Their sources, sampling methods and other factors make their data more reliable than regular census data, Darcy said.

State Rep. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, said she would also like to see more women in the Legislature, but added that she thinks women of Oklahoma are still well represented.

"The voices of the women that are there (in the Legislature) are very strong and very supportive," she said.

Men at the Capitol also understand and work on women's issues. Representatives are working to ease issues for families, including the state's high incarceration rate, Tibbs said.

"We want to have some better and more positive things for women who get into trouble," she said.

Shannon Muchmore 581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Elusive, the burbs (11/9/2009 2:41:44 AM) This article needs to be sent to every male politician.
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (11/9/2009 8:50:12 AM) loo loo, What are you saying that your woman is faking it? Maybe you just don't what too do.
	Report Comment loo loo, (11/9/2009 9:27:22 AM) who knows....men don't care either way.
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (11/9/2009 10:42:20 AM) "...The reason fewer women are on the ballot could be because they are focused on their families and don't think of politics as a career, McDaniel said. ..." That is part of the problem with our government now days, the majority of our politicians, especially on the federal level are "career" politicians. Our county was never meant to have career politicians. The thought was that people would serve for a few years and then return to their farms, their own businesses, etc. Being a Senator or Congressman was never meant to be a full-time 40 year career. Now days there is more job security being a Senator or Congressman, than any other job position. Term limits are needed.
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (11/9/2009 10:46:37 AM) Another reason not as many women are in politics, they probably have difficulty raising the tons of money needed to run a campaign. Another pet peeve of mine. It is wasteful and ridiculous for people running for public office to spend millions of dollars. Be it for city councilors, mayors, senators or presidents, there should not be millions of dollars used. I bet there are a lot of men and women who would make excellent candidates but lack the millions, access to millions or don't have connections to people that will donate them millions to run a campaign. How sad.
	Report Comment Fantasy Cats, Meow, Meow (11/9/2009 10:57:26 AM) Interesting. Male politicians ignore women. Bet I can tell you when they use them.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (11/9/2009 11:02:34 AM) "bottom 10 of states for appointing women to policy positions, and for women in poverty, he said." . Is this an indication how incompetent men are? Or how competent they are at keeping women out of policy positions and in poverty?
	Report Comment Elusive, the burbs (11/9/2009 2:00:01 PM) I agree Mar, term limits and get rid of this ridiculous system whereby you have to raise a million dollars to run a campaign. There would be a alot more fine people to choose from if that were to happen. In the meantime, women keep empowering yourself and continue voting!!
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/9/2009 2:29:39 PM) I would guess that most men are either working, hunting, or in a bar on election day

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