2025 Start of Year Survey
Ahead of the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, Galvanize Action surveyed 600 moderate white women to establish baseline opinions on key issues and beliefs about the likelihood of potential social, economic, and political scenarios occurring over the next four years.
ATTITUDES ON KEY ISSUES
ABORTION
ABORTION QUESTION #1
Should abortions be always legal, mostly legal, mostly illegal, or always illegal?
| Always legal | 27% |
| Mostly legal | 45% |
| Mostly illegal | 23% |
| Always illegal | 5% |
ABORTION QUESTION #2
The federal government has a responsibility to safeguard access to abortion without any restrictions.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 24% |
| Somewhat agree | 26% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 25% |
| Somewhat disagree | 14% |
| Strongly disagree | 11% |
ABORTION QUESTION #3
Decisions regarding pregnancies should rest with women, their loved ones, and medical professionals—not politicians.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 67% |
| Somewhat agree | 19% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 10% |
| Somewhat disagree | 2% |
| Strongly disagree | 2% |
Moderate women overwhelmingly support (86%) the idea that decisions regarding abortion should rest with women, their loved ones, and medical professionals, as opposed to politicians. The majority (67%) of respondents said they strongly agree with this stance, and a further 19% said they somewhat agree.
In addition, the majority (72%) of respondents are supportive of abortion legality, though more claim it should be mostly legal (45%) than always legal (27%). When asked whether the federal government has a responsibility to safeguard access to abortion without any restrictions, responses are more varied: half of respondents agree with the sentiment (26% somewhat agree, 24% strongly agree), and a quarter (25%) of respondents remained neutral.
ECONOMY
ECONOMY QUESTION #1
Even if I wouldn’t personally benefit, I would be willing to increase taxes if the money goes to federally-funded childcare.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 8% |
| Somewhat agree | 27% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 34% |
| Somewhat disagree | 19% |
| Strongly disagree | 12% |
ECONOMY QUESTION #2
I trust the federal government to implement solutions that help people like me make ends meet.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 10% |
| Somewhat agree | 25% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 23% |
| Somewhat disagree | 23% |
| Strongly disagree | 19% |
ECONOMY QUESTION #3
I support the government raising taxes to provide more generous social safety net programs (like subsidized housing and food stamps) even if I wouldn’t personally benefit.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 11% |
| Somewhat agree | 30% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 27% |
| Somewhat disagree | 21% |
| Strongly disagree | 11% |
Most moderate white women somewhat agreed or remained neutral when asked whether they support raising taxes for social safety net programs, such as subsidized housing, food stamps, or federally-funded childcare, even if these programs would not benefit them personally.
- Federally-funded childcare: 27% somewhat agreed and 34% neither agreed nor disagreed.
- Social safety net programs: 30% somewhat agreed and 27% neither agreed nor disagreed.
Responses are more varied when asked whether they trust the government to implement solutions to help people like them make ends meet. More disagreed (42%) with this statement than agreed (35%), and nearly a quarter (23%) said they neither agree nor disagree.
GENDER EQUITY
GENDER EQUITY QUESTION #1
People advocating for the rights of transgender people have gone too far in recent years.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 17% |
| Somewhat agree | 28% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 27% |
| Somewhat disagree | 15% |
| Strongly disagree | 12% |
GENDER EQUITY QUESTION #2
I’m confident that I can learn to navigate the changing rules of gender in our society.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 15% |
| Somewhat agree | 32% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 32% |
| Somewhat disagree | 12% |
| Strongly disagree | 9% |
GENDER EQUITY QUESTION #3
Discussion of sexual orientation and/or gender identity in public schools should be banned.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 20% |
| Somewhat agree | 24% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 28% |
| Somewhat disagree | 14% |
| Strongly disagree | 13% |
Moderate white women showed mixed attitudes toward gender identity issues. Nearly half of respondents agreed that discussion of sexual orientation and/or gender identity should be banned in public schools (44% agreed) and that people advocating for the rights of transgender people have gone too far (45% agreed). Nearly half of respondents (47%) also said they are confident they can learn to navigate the changing rules of gender in our society. Over a quarter of respondents say they neither agree nor disagree with each of these statements.
IMMIGRATION
IMMIGRATION QUESTION #1
Immigrants take desirable jobs away from American citizens like me.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 10% |
| Somewhat agree | 20% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 23% |
| Somewhat disagree | 24% |
| Strongly disagree | 22% |
IMMIGRATION QUESTION #2
Immigrants make America better for everyone.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 12% |
| Somewhat agree | 28% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 36% |
| Somewhat disagree | 14% |
| Strongly disagree | 10% |
IMMIGRATION QUESTION #3
Immigrants increase crime rates in the United States.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
Moderate white women (n= 600)
| Strongly agree | 12% |
| Somewhat agree | 24% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 29% |
| Somewhat disagree | 19% |
| Strongly disagree | 15% |
Opinions on questions regarding immigration were varied. Women surveyed tended to disagree that immigrants take desirable jobs from American citizens like them (46%), and agree that immigrants make America better for everyone (40%). However, slightly more respondents agreed (36%) than disagreed (34%) that immigrants increase crime rates, indicating a tension between viewing immigration as beneficial and associating it with potential risks. Additionally, notable percentages of respondents remained neutral on all three immigration questions, with more than a third (36%) saying they neither agree nor disagree that immigrants make the country better. This highlights a substantial group of women who do not yet hold firmly established views on immigration.
OTHERING
OTHERING QUESTION #1
The government has gone too far in helping minorities to the disadvantage of people like me.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 12% |
| Somewhat agree | 26% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 33% |
| Somewhat disagree | 16% |
| Strongly disagree | 13% |
OTHERING QUESTION #2
I have a personal responsibility to intervene when someone experiences discrimination.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 14% |
| Somewhat agree | 38% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 36% |
| Somewhat disagree | 9% |
| Strongly disagree | 3% |
OTHERING QUESTION #3
For America to be on the right side of history, it’s important that we warmly welcome and accept individuals who identify as a different gender from their birth.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
| Strongly agree | 18% |
| Somewhat agree | 25% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 36% |
| Somewhat disagree | 11% |
| Strongly disagree | 10% |
Attitudes on questions about “othering” are mixed. When asked whether they have a personal responsibility to intervene when someone experiences discrimination, just over half (52%) of respondents agreed. Additionally, nearly half (43%) of respondents agreed that we must accept individuals who identify as a different gender from their birth for America to be on the right side of history. However, more respondents agreed (38%) than disagreed (29%) that the government has gone too far in helping minorities to the disadvantage of people like them.
PREDICTIONS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS
SCENARIO QUESTIONS
Thinking about the next four years under the upcoming Trump Administration, how likely do you believe the following scenarios are to happen?
- Extremely likely
- Somewhat likely
- Unsure
- Somewhat unlikely
- Extremely unlikely
ABORTION
Respondents who voted for Harris in 2024 believe it’s likely that abortion will be banned by the majority of states at the state level and believe there will be a national ban on abortion (44% and 43% respectively). Respondents who voted for Trump believe it is less likely (32% likely at the state level, 19% likely at the federal level).
| Prediction | Vote Choice | Extremely unlikely | Somewhat unlikely | Unsure | Somewhat likely | Extremely likely |
| There will be a national ban on abortion | Harris | 8% | 18% | 31% | 22% | 21% |
| Trump | 17% | 28% | 36% | 13% | 6% | |
| The majority of states will ban abortion at the state level | Harris | 5% | 19% | 32% | 27% | 17% |
| Trump | 10% | 20% | 38% | 24% | 8% |
ECONOMY
Very few respondents who voted for Harris believe it’s likely that the cost of groceries or gas will decrease (8% groceries; 12% gas).
While more Trump voters than Harris voters said it’s likely that these costs will decrease, the percentage of Trump voters who believe this remains below half (40% groceries; 46% gas). The majority of respondents who voted for Trump also said it’s likely that the cost of imported goods will increase (62%). Additionally, more women who voted for Trump said it’s likely that the cost of living will increase (42%) than said it’s likely that the cost of living will decrease (35%). These results are interesting given the findings below, which show that the overwhelming majority of women who voted for Trump said that the economy was extremely important or very important to their vote choice (82%).
| Prediction | Vote Choice | Extremely unlikely | Somewhat unlikely | Unsure | Somewhat likely | Extremely likely |
| Cost of living will decrease | Harris | 38% | 35% | 18% | 4% | 4% |
| Trump | 16% | 24% | 25% | 27% | 8% | |
| Cost of living will increase | Harris | 1% | 3% | 14% | 38% | 44% |
| Trump | 7% | 23% | 28% | 25% | 17% | |
| Personal finances will be negatively affected | Harris | 1% | 7% | 35% | 33% | 23% |
| Trump | 11% | 24% | 37% | 18% | 10% | |
| Personal finances will be positively affected | Harris | 20% | 24% | 32% | 16% | 8% |
| Trump | 5% | 17% | 34% | 32% | 12% | |
| Cost of gas will decrease | Harris | 26% | 37% | 26% | 9% | 3% |
| Trump | 8% | 21% | 24% | 33% | 13% | |
| Cost of gas will increase | Harris | 1% | 4% | 26% | 39% | 30% |
| Trump | 10% | 27% | 26% | 25% | 12% | |
| Cost of groceries will decrease | Harris | 37% | 38% | 18% | 4% | 4% |
| Trump | 15% | 20% | 25% | 30% | 10% | |
| Cost of groceries will increase | Harris | 1% | 2% | 17% | 39% | 41% |
| Trump | 10% | 24% | 28% | 22% | 16% | |
| Cost of imported goods will decrease | Harris | 43% | 35% | 13% | 5% | 4% |
| Trump | 13% | 34% | 34% | 14% | 5% | |
| Cost of imported goods will increase | Harris | 2% | 3% | 10% | 34% | 51% |
| Trump | 3% | 9% | 26% | 46% | 16% | |
| Government will remove tax on tips | Harris | 11% | 16% | 48% | 20% | 5% |
| Trump | 9% | 16% | 42% | 22% | 11% |
IMMIGRATION
The majority of both women who voted for Harris (76%) and women who voted for Trump (75%) believe it’s likely that “illegal” immigrants will be deported. In contrast, 26% of Harris voters compared to 46% of Trump voters believe it’s unlikely that any legal immigrants will also be deported. Additionally, 40% of Trump voters said it’s unlikely that birthright citizenship will end.
| Prediction | Vote Choice | Extremely unlikely | Somewhat unlikely | Unsure | Somewhat likely | Extremely likely |
| Birthright Citizenship (anyone born in the United States automatically becomes an American citizen) will end | Harris | 10% | 18% | 34% | 25% | 13% |
| Trump | 18% | 22% | 37% | 17% | 6% | |
| “Illegal” immigrants will be deported | Harris | 1% | 4% | 18% | 40% | 36% |
| Trump | 2% | 7% | 16% | 42% | 33% | |
| Legal immigrants will be deported | Harris | 9% | 17% | 32% | 25% | 17% |
| Trump | 23% | 23% | 20% | 20% | 15% |
OTHERING
While the majority of Harris voters said it is likely that the federal government will dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives (60%), just under a third of Trump voters (31%) believe it’s likely this will happen. Nearly half (49%) of Trump voters also said they were unsure whether the federal government would reverse previously-enacted anti-discrimination policies, and a further 28% said they believe it’s unlikely.
| Prediction | Vote Choice | Extremely unlikely | Somewhat unlikely | Unsure | Somewhat likely | Extremely likely |
| The federal government will reverse previously enacted anti-discrimination policies | Harris | 4% | 8% | 36% | 29% | 22% |
| Trump | 7% | 21% | 49% | 17% | 7% | |
| The federal government will dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at public and private institutions | Harris | 4% | 4% | 32% | 29% | 31% |
| Trump | 5% | 12% | 52% | 22% | 9% | |
| Transgender student athletes will be banned from school sports | Harris | 3% | 8% | 25% | 36% | 27% |
| Trump | 6% | 17% | 36% | 27% | 14% |
VOTING BEHAVIOR
VOTE CHOICE
Harris and Trump were neck-and-neck in self-reported vote choice of respondents, with 41% of moderate white women saying they cast a vote for Trump and 41% saying the same for Harris. Only 2% of women surveyed said they voted for another candidate, while 16% said they did not cast a vote.
Figure 6
There are correlations between vote choice and levels of both internalized sexism and color-blind racial resentment. Of respondents with higher racial resentment and internalized sexism scores (relative to others in this survey), the majority voted for Trump (61% of those with higher racial resentment; 64% of those with higher internalized sexism). In contrast, of those with lower racial resentment and internalized sexism scores, the majority voted for Harris (65% of those with lower racial resentment; 75% of those with lower internalized sexism).
IMPORTANCE OF ISSUES ON VOTING
A majority (63%) of women who voted for Harris said that abortion was extremely important (38%) or very important (25%) to their vote choice, while just under a third (31%) of Trump voters said the same (12% extremely important; 19% very important). Similarly, 75% of Harris voters said democracy was extremely important (49%) or very important (26%), compared to just under half (49%) of Trump voters (25% extremely important; 24% very important).
In contrast, 82% of Trump voters said the economy was extremely or very important, compared to 69% of Harris voters. Similarly, 65% of Trump voters said immigration was extremely or very important to their vote compared to 36% of Harris voters.
Interestingly, both Harris and Trump voters expressed similar prioritization regarding healthcare: 69% of Harris voters and 61% of Trump voters said healthcare was extremely or very important to their vote choice.
| Issue | Vote Choice | Not at all important | Slightly important | Moderately important | Very important | Extremely important |
| Abortion | Harris | 8% | 8% | 21% | 25% | 38% |
| Trump | 14% | 20% | 35% | 19% | 12% | |
| Democracy | Harris | 2% | 6% | 17% | 26% | 49% |
| Trump | 6% | 14% | 30% | 24% | 25% | |
| Economy | Harris | 1% | 6% | 24% | 31% | 38% |
| Trump | 0% | 6% | 12% | 26% | 56% | |
| Healthcare | Harris | 2% | 8% | 21% | 27% | 42% |
| Trump | 4% | 12% | 22% | 30% | 31% | |
| Immigration | Harris | 8% | 18% | 37% | 20% | 16% |
| Trump | 4% | 13% | 19% | 26% | 39% | |
| LGBT+ Issues | Harris | 23% | 22% | 27% | 17% | 12% |
| Trump | 41% | 26% | 22% | 4% | 6% |
METHODOLOGY
- Audience: Ideologically Moderate US White Women
- Sample size: 600
- Dates in field: Monday, January 13, 2025 to Saturday, January 18, 2025
