Final answer:
Since the 1980s, women have consistently been more likely to vote than men, with a growing gap in voting preferences between the genders. Higher female voter turnout is influenced by various factors including feminist movements and differing political issues. Although women vote in higher numbers, they remain underrepresented in political offices.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing voting rates for men and women, it is observed that since the 1980s, women are more likely to vote than men, reversing the historical trend where they voted at similar rates. The increase in female voter turnout can be attributed to feminist movements, political issues, and the mobilization of women due to platform stances of political parties, notably during the 1980s with the rise of the Christian Right. In addition, the voting preferences of women tend to differ from those of men, with a widening gap in preferences evident since 1976. While the gender gap in political participation is closing, women are still underrepresented as elected officials despite their higher turnout at the polls.
In the context of presidential elections, more women vote than men. In 2016, a record number of women reported voting, with 63.3 percent of eligible female voters casting ballots, as opposed to 59.3 percent of eligible male voters. The trend of higher female voter participation is consistent, with women exceeding men's turnout rate since 1986 in presidential elections. Voting preferences have also been shown to be influenced by a variety of demographic factors, including gender, age, and race, as demonstrated in U.S. elections where different demographic groups often show varied support for candidates.