We Asked 1,000 Millennial Women What They Think Of Hillary

Yesterday, Hillary Clinton announced her official entrance into the 2016 race for president. Reactions were swift and passionate: Supporters rejoiced, opponents attacked, and the commentators commentated.  To get a sense of how the R29 community feels about the Democratic frontrunner (and maybe first woman president) throwing her hat in the ring, we asked! We sent a survey to more than 1,000 millennial women over the weekend.  Here's what we found: While young women are excited about the 2016 election and Hillary Clinton, they haven't made up their minds about what party — or candidate — they'll support in the booth.  Adrienne Kimmell, executive director of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, told us that's because they're looking for a candidate who really represents them. “Young women voters want to see a government that reflects them and their values — and not only in gender, but in age and racial diversity,” she says. “For young women, electing a woman president isn’t only about that status of being the ‘first.’ It’s about being in touch with their lives.” More of our learnings are below. Millennials ARE excited about 2016.

Despite what you've heard about apathetic, self-centered millennials, the women we asked were interested in politics. Nearly three-quarters of our respondents (74%) said they were planning to vote in the 2016 presidential election, and only 13.1% said they were definitely not voting, with some remaining uncertain.  But, they're not voting out of party loyalty. When asked how they identify, the largest group (46%) said they weren't affiliated with any party. About a third called themselves Democrats, and 12% Republicans. They want to learn more about Hillary.

Young women are planning on voting, sure, but that doesn't mean they're ready to cast a ballot just yet. When asked “Would you vote for Hillary Clinton if the election was today?” only 34% said yes, with the biggest group (39%) saying they were still unsure. The good news is, since the election's still more than a year and a half away, everyone's got plenty of time to decide! They’re ready for a woman in the Oval Office.

A big majority of respondents think it's high time we had a woman president. When we asked Hillary supporters and undecideds why they'd vote for her, “I want to see a woman president” was the top answer.   On the flip side, when non-supporters were asked why they wouldn’t vote for her, a negligible amount (1.28%) said they don't support a woman president — citing instead objections to her policies or affiliation with the GOP. When we stacked Hillary against other top women contenders (Elizabeth Warren, Carly Fiorina, Sarah Palin) Clinton came out on top — by a lot; twice as many respondents said they'd choose Hillary than second-place pick, Elizabeth Warren.

She appeals especially to young women.
Younger women are much more excited about Hillary than those slightly older: of 18- to 29-year-olds, nearly 70% were Hillary supporters, compared to only 30% of the 30 to 44 group.  These are the words they'd use to describe Hillary.

The last section of our survey let respondents describe Hillary in their own words. Responses ranged from thoughtful to critical (with a handful of unfortunate Lewinsky jokes thrown in). This image brings together the most commonly used words.  Our survey was conducted on April 9 and 10, 2015 by Survey Monkey. Results are based on the answers of 1,071 respondents, all women, ages 18 to 44.