Seven out of ten. Nearly seven out of ten independent women voters see the Ryan Budget's cuts to programs that support women and families as reason not to vote Republican. That is a huge number, but it hinges on the fact that women voters are educated on the issues that are at stake this election. At EMILY's List we know the key to creating a more progressive America is to involve more women in politics, as candidates and as well-informed voters.
If equal pay is important to you, it's important to your mother, your sister and your daughter. If having access to health insurance and the ability to make your own healthcare decisions is important to you, it's important to your aunt, your niece and your grandmother. We need women to be having conversations about how Republicans are threatening key legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Affordable Care Act every day.
The more women voters learn about the anti-woman agenda of the right, the more likely they are to support Democratic candidates. We recently finished up the second set of research in our Women's Monitor, which surveyed nearly 1,000 independent women voters in battleground states. And we found that when those women learned just a few details about Republican efforts to block the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, 71% of them said it was a convincing reason not to vote Republican. That is 71% of a crucial voting bloc this election, one that could and most likely will cast the deciding votes in November.
Women know that it isn't fair when the man working next to them -- doing the same job -- takes home a bigger paycheck. But they also need to know who in Congress is on their side on these issues. They need to know that Democratic women are fighting against inequality every day.
Women across this country need to recognize their role in the democratic process -- not only are they voters, but they can be a valuable and powerful campaign resource. I challenge women to recognize that in themselves.
To the women reading this, I say: you know people. People trust you. You're a leader -- in your family, your workplace, your community. So talk. Talk to your daughter, your sister, your aunt, your co-worker in the cubicle next to you, the other parents you see at the soccer games. Tell everyone about the impact of the Republican agenda. And tell everyone that we need to elect more great Democratic women, women who know what it's like to walk in their shoes and who will fight for their values, and you need their help.
And to the men reading this -- you have at least a mother, and likely a sister, aunt, daughter and colleague that needs to hear that you care about this too.
And if you're looking for the candidates to support, EMILY's List has them. We have a record 11 women running for the Senate and one of our most impressive fields of House candidates in our 27-year history. So get informed, get talking and get ready to make a real change in November.