Women in US Politics: Numbers, Trends, and Voter Data (2026)
Women are 51% of US voters and have cast more votes than men in every presidential election since 1980 — but hold 28% of Congressional seats and have never been elected president. This page tracks the current numbers, the swing-state voter data, and the state-level trends.
By specialty
| Specialty | Women (%) |
|---|---|
| US Senate (women) | 25% |
| US House (women) | 28.7% |
| State legislators (D) | 47.3% |
| State legislators (R) | 20.8% |
| State governors | 24% |
| Big-city mayors (top 100) | 28% |
| Federal judges (Article III) | 36% |
| Cabinet secretaries | 40% |
Pay gap detail
Congressional salaries are lockstep — there's no direct pay gap in office. The measurable financial gap is in campaign fundraising: women candidates raise less than men on average, especially in their first federal race, though the gap has narrowed considerably since 2018.
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First-time female House candidates raised 82% as much as first-time male candidates in 2024, up from 63% in 2010.
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Women who win primary elections win general elections at the same rate as men (Dolan 2014; Fulton 2012). The gap is in running, not winning.
Trend
Congressional women's share grew slowly from 1917 (Jeannette Rankin, R-MT) through 1990, then more steeply through 2020. Growth has plateaued since 2022 in the House; Senate women reached an all-time high of 26 in the 118th and dropped to 25 in the 119th.
| Year | Women entering (%) |
|---|---|
| 1971 | 3% |
| 1993 | 10% |
| 2009 | 17% |
| 2019 | 23% |
| 2025 | 28% |
Patient outcomes
Legislative effectiveness research: female legislators sponsor more bills, pass more bills, and secure more federal spending per district than male legislators with comparable seniority, on average.
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In a study of every Congressional district 1984-2004, female members of Congress secured an average of $49 million more in federal spending per year for their districts than male members.
Anzia & Berry, American Journal of Political Science (2011) · 2011
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Volden, Wiseman & Wittmer (2013) found minority-party female legislators were more effective than their male counterparts at advancing legislation, a pattern known as the 'female effectiveness premium.'
Volden, Wiseman & Wittmer, American Journal of Political Science (2013) · 2013
Sources
Frequently asked
How many women are in the US Congress?
The 119th Congress (2025-27) has 150 women — 25 in the Senate, 125 in the House — a combined 28.2%. Down slightly from the 118th.
Do women win elections at lower rates?
No. Among candidates who run, women win at the same rate as men (Dolan 2014; Fulton 2012). The gap is in running. Fewer women run for office, and fewer women are recruited by party organizations.
Which country has the most women in its national legislature?
Rwanda (63.8% of lower house seats as of 2025). Cuba, Nicaragua, and Mexico are next. The US ranks 77th globally.
Are female legislators less effective?
The opposite. Anzia & Berry (2011) found female House members secured $49M more in annual federal spending per district than males. Volden et al. (2013) documented a 'female effectiveness premium' in the minority party.
Why hasn't the US elected a female president?
Structural factors: primary system punishes caution; media coverage gender asymmetry; electoral college amplifies state-level preferences; strong incumbency advantage. Plus specific cycles. Experimental research shows gender has small direct vote effects; the barriers are earlier (recruitment, primary dynamics, coverage).