There’s a difference between how women and men decide who to vote for – but it’s not really clear just how big the difference is. Women favored Barack Obama by double digits earlier in the campaign, but Mitt Romney has erased that lead. In the dash to the finish line, the race has tightened in Florida yet again, and women may tip the balance.
Republicans and Democrats disagree over what sends women to the polls. Although both sides say the economy is the main thing for all voters this year – including women – they disagree on how much so-called "women’s issues" are at play.
Many Democrats say issues like abortion and access to contraception are driving women to their side. Republicans say those concerns are dwarfed by the economy for most women.
Retiring state senator Paula Dockery, a Lakeland Republican, says Democrats made a mistake by focusing more on abortion and contraception than pocketbook issues.
Dockery said, "To make it all about reproductive rights almost alienates some women into thinking, 'Well, you don't understand what's important to women’, and that's why the gender gap has closed."
Early last month, Obama led among women by as much as 16 points. Romney had a similar lead among men. But polls show both gaps narrowing, and national controversies like a Missouri GOP Senate candidate saying women don't get pregnant from legitimate rape have roiled the waters.
Democrat Alex Sink lost to Republican Governor Rick Scott in 2010, and may run again in 2014. She's campaigning for Democrats now and says women's health issues are serious – with economic implications.
Sink said, "I'm just throwing a guess out there, but I think there will be at least a six- or seven-point gender gap in favor of the president."
It's all about turnout now, and political scientists say women tend to be late deciders.