However, only 71 percent say their decision to vote for a female candidate would not be affected by her having a child under five. The presence of a child age 6 to 18 has a lesser effect on the public's voting decision. Nearly three in ten Americans say they would be less likely to vote for a female presidential candidate if she were pregnant. This compares to only 5 percent who would be less likely to vote for a male presidential candidate if his wife were pregnant.
Marriage is an asset for presidential candidates of either sex.