John McCain deserves credit today for an interesting choice in Gov Sarah Palin (R-AK) as his running mate. Together, with Sen Barack Obama's nomination, voters will be presented with the most diverse choice they have ever had in any presidential election. Typically unmarried women prefer candidates with a more progressive position on issues concerning the economy, healthcare and the war in Iraq.

As an organization whose mission is to register to vote and engage unmarried women to participate in elections, we know you cannot understand the ‘women’s vote’ without understanding the role marital status plays among women.

Women in this country do not vote in a block but reflect the full diversity of this nation. Moreover, it is impossible to understand the women’s vote without understanding the role marital status plays in how they vote and even whether they vote. Marital status is determinative of whom a voter supports, and is more decisive in voting behavior than ones age, gender, or race.

• On a woman’s right to choose, Palin shares John McCain’s commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade; unmarried women, on the other hand, prefer Barack Obama’s position on abortion by a 66 to 27 percent margin.[1]
• On the Iraq war, John McCain wants to extend U.S troop presence even while the Bush administration is negotiating a time-table for withdrawal. Unmarried women on the other hand support Barack Obama’s position on the war by a 67 to 27 percent margin.[2]
• On economic policy, she shares John McCain's commitment to continuing the failed economic policies that have left single women, particularly those raising families alone, in dire straits. Unmarried women earn, on average, 52 cents on the dollar of what a married men earns. Little wonder that unmarried women prefer Barack Obama’s position on the economy by a 60 to 29 percent margin.[3]
• We have heard little from Palin on the issue of pay-equity; this is true of many politicians. In fact, 71 percent of unmarried women complain they have not heard enough about the pay equity issue.[4]

Candidates seeking to win the vote of unmarried women must address their daily economic needs such as gas prices, raising the minimum wage and health care costs. Numbering 53 million and making up 26% of the electorate, unmarried women have the power to greatly influence democracy in our country.

How they vote will not only drive the so-called "women’s vote," but play a huge role and election itself. Governor Palin, they are waiting to hear from you.

[1] Based on a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner survey of 1004, registered unmarried women taken June 19-24, 2008.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Based on a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner survey of 1007 women taken on March 18-26, 2008.