Julia Roberts is stirring the political pot with her latest voiceover work for a pro-Harris campaign ad. Designed to empower women voters, the ad suggests they should feel free to break voting ties with their Trump-supporting partners. It’s causing quite the buzz, especially with the backdrop of deepening gender divides as the presidential election approaches.
This 30-second spot, aired by Vote Common Good, features Roberts reminding women, "you can vote any way you want and no one will ever know." The ad opens at a polling place, capturing a couple’s dynamic when the man nudges his partner, presumably after voting, prompting her to cast her ballot. This candid moment between couples not only ignites discussions but highlights concerns about the growing influence of gender gaps among voters.
Polls indicate women are significantly favoring Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly following the Supreme Court's rollback of reproductive rights. Harris appears to be stealing the spotlight with early trends showing women favoring her candidacy over former President Trump, who enjoys much stronger support among male voters. Jackie Payne from Galvanize Action points out the stakes: "When I’m looking at the data, what I see is, if only men voted, Trump would win. Women are making this a competitive election."
The ad features a pivotal moment wherein two women exchange glances as one votes for Harris. "You can vote any way you want, and no one will ever know," Roberts' voiceover insists, making the ad's aim clear: to support women’s autonomy at the ballot box.
The pushback from conservatives has been fierce. Some have likened the ad to infidelity, with Fox News host Jesse Watters going so far as to say, "If I found out Emma was going to the voting booth and pulling the lever for Harris, that's the same thing as having an affair." Others, like Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA, expressed disgust at the implication of women undermining their husbands.
It’s not just the ad; women are finding innovative ways to express their voting preferences. Reports surfaced of pro-Harris sticky notes appearing around women’s bathrooms. Coupled with trending TikTok videos, these social media campaigns allow women to share how they plan to cancel out their pro-Trump family members' votes.
Polling presents some challenging insights as well. Democratic pollster Celinda Lake notes many married women defer to male partners on political matters, often viewing the husbands as the experts. "These women presume he has greater expertise, and he presumes he has greater expertise." The ad aims to change this narrative, encouraging women to assert their play in politics.
Reflecting on past elections, the gender voting gap showcased itself even more starkly. Back in 2016, there was about an 11-point gap, with 42 percent of women supporting Trump compared to 52 percent of men. By 2020, it climbed to 12 points, showing women’s support for Biden at 57 percent and men at 45 percent. Early indicators from recent polling, including one from USA Today/Suffolk University, suggest this divide may grow even wider this election year.
Despite shifts within various demographics, it’s moderate white women leading the charge against the GOP this time around. Payne emphasizes how motivated these women are, particularly concerning reproductive rights and other political issues. Young voters are also reflecting these changes, with young women leaning more liberal due to perceived attacks on their rights, contrasting with young men who may resonate more with Trump's strong messaging.
The stakes are undeniably high, and women have reportedly been dominating the early voting scene. According to the University of Florida Election Lab, women accounted for 54 percent of early ballots, leading to vibrant conversations around the impact their decisions may have on the election outcome. "It’s definitely significant and has the potential of being historic," Payne said.
Analysts note this year presents unique challenges as voters prepare to cast their ballots, especially with nuances across regions and typical voting patterns. Kelly Dittmar emphasizes the need to understand which women are influencing this election and how. Observations show women have historically leaned Democratic since 1980, but things could shift dramatically this year.
Interestingly, as the political waters get murkier, some women feel squeezed by changing party dynamics and “outrage” from their male counterparts against ads like Roberts’. Martha McKenna argues this uproar can contribute significantly to the ad’s narrative, as it puts forth the premise: women’s votes shouldn’t be dictated by their partners.
The upcoming election is shaping up to be more than just numbers. It’s presenting women voters with decisions steeped deep within cultural conversations and relationships. With Election Day on the horizon, will the voice of women carry enough weight to sway the outcome? Only time will tell.