Female vote is key as women's issues dominate US election

Tens of thousands of people are expected to demonstrate in the United States today in support of US Vice President Kamala Harris' candidacy for president.

The annual Women's March will take place in Washington DC and in other cities across the country just three days before the US Election.

Organisers said this year's theme 'We Won't Go Back!' represents opposition to another Donald Trump presidency and what it could mean for women's rights.

The Women's March first started in 2017 - then a push back against the inauguration of then-president Trump.

Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Washington DC and around the country in what is widely considered the largest single-day protest in American history.

The Power of the Female Vote

Even though Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has resisted calls to focus on her own gender, and that, if elected, she would become the first female President of the United States, Ms Harris has made womens' issues a centrepiece of her campaign.

Women represent the country's largest voting demographic and are known for their high turnout in elections. A recent New York Times/Sienna College poll said that the two presidential candidates are neck-and-neck with white female voters.

Mr Trump has previously enjoyed strong support amongst white women. In 2016, 47% of white women voted for Mr Trump - compared with 45% for Democratic candidate Hilary Clinton.

In 2020, Donald Trump increased his support to 53%.

Vice President Harris' aim has been to claw back some of that support by attempting to energise women on both sides of the political divide with one highly emotive issue.

Reproductive Rights

The economy and inflation are women's top priorities during this election cycle and Donald Trump has tried to appeal to women voters by playing to their fears about safety.

"I want to protect the women of our country... I'm going to do it whether the women like it or not" he said at a rally in Wisconsin last week.

For the vice president and her team, their focus has been on the next most important issue for females - reproductive rights.

Ms Harris has cast the former president as a 'threat' to those rights.

"Shy" Harris women voters have become a target of her campaign - those who may be part of a Trump-supporting family or network but are uncomfortable with what another Donald Trump presidency will mean for women.

Voiced by Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, an advert calls on women to use their 'secret ballot' to vote for Kamala Harris.

Abortion is on the Ballot

In 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned America's national constitutional right to abortion, with individual states now deciding the rules and restrictions in relation to terminating a pregnancy.

Reproductive rights are not divided between red and blue party lines.

In 2022, Republican-leaning states like Kansas, Kentucky and Montana rejected measures that would have restricted or removed existing protections for abortion access.

On Election Day, ten states are asking voters to decide on whether they want to enshrine abortion access in their states' constitutions.

Read more about the US election 2024

Mr Trump once said he was 'proud' to help overturn Roe vs Wade as he was responsible for appointing three conservative Supreme Court Justices during his time in the White House.

However, since then, he has attempted to soften his opposition to abortion and has dodged questions on the issue.

If Ms Harris successfully mobilises a cohort of pro-choice republican women in crucial swing states it could help tip the balance in her favour.

Demonstrators will start gathering at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC at 7pm Irish time and will march to the White House with prominent attorneys, activists and leaders expected to speak at the rally.