Evening star., 1944-06-04

Potential American woman voters, for
the first time in history, outnumber the
men, including those in the armed
forces, by more than half a million-to
be exact, 579,217.
The total number of potential voters
is now more than 80, 900 ,O00-an increase
of more than 100000 since the presi-
Dental election of 1940
The estimated total of man and wom-
an voters-men and women of voting
age-on January l. 1914, was 1866, ,555
The women numbered 44,622,886, and
the men, 44,043, ,669. j.
The estimated number of men in the
armed forces, 100000 This estimate
excludes those under 81 years of age.
These figures were announced by the
United States Census Bureau on this,
the 25th anniversary of the congress
sional vote which gave women the bal
lot. On June 4, 1919, the Senate voted
Sc to Is for the Susan B. Anthony con-
stitutional amendment. The House had
previously approved it by more than the
necessary two-thirds vote. Within the
next year, the amendment was ratified
by the States. Women voted nation
ally for the first time in the 1920 presi-
Dental election.
Women to Decide Issue.
1t is clear that the American women
hold the outcome of the election of 1914
in their hands to greater degree than
ever before. This is true not only be-
cause they constitute a majority Of the
potential vote but also because of the
millions of men in the armed forces,
some of whom, for one reason or an
other, win not vote. Other millions of
men are working in war plants, away
from their former homes, and some OF
them, too, may not be able to vote.
Both the Democratic and Republican
National Committees are recognizing
more than ever before the important
part which the woman vote will play in
the coming election. Mrs. Charles w.
Tiuett Of North Carolina is an assist
ant chairman of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee, In charge Of the
women's division. Miss Marion E. Mar
tin, Republican national committee
woman for Maine, heads the women's
division of the Republican national or
ganization
Commenting on the situation, Miss
Martin said yesterday: I'm looking back
over the Is years that women have had
the suffrage the most notable observa-
ton is the greater opportunities and
the greater responsibilities which wom-
en- assume today as compared with yes
terday. This advance to full participa-
ton in all fields of activity, business,
professional, the armed services, etc.
can largely be attributed to the en-
reimbursement of women. An advance
in one field gives greater acceptance to
women in all fields.
Sees Women Vindicated.
For the first time women now hold
the majority vote in presidential elec-
ton. How they cast that vote will de-
termine not only the type of Govern
ment which we will live under. but will
prove beyond doubt that those who
fought for woman suffrage have been
vindicated and their hopes realized.
Women are not interested in the
superficial qualities of candidates They
want to know what they stand for.
They have ideals for the future of this
country and will vote to establish them. "
Mrs. Tillett, speaking for the Demo-
Gratis, said:
Women not only are coming of age in
politics in 1914 in terms of years but in
terms Of responsibility. Our records
show that more Democratic women are
active in party work than ever before:
that more of them are in positions of
party leadership and that more are run
ming for public office.
For the first time we have definite