Instant Insight

• Trump secured more than half of the pet owner vote in the 2024 election, with strongest support from dog owners
• Cat owners showed a clear gender divide, with women cat owners favoring Harris
• JD Vance’s “childless cat ladies” comments created controversy but had minimal electoral impact

+ Dive Deeper

Quick Brief

Essential Context

AP VoteCast’s comprehensive survey of 120,000+ voters revealed striking patterns in how pet ownership influenced voting behavior in the 2024 presidential election. The data showed clear divisions between dog and cat owners, with notable gender differences.

Core Players

• Donald Trump – Secured majority pet owner support, especially among dog owners
• Kamala Harris – Drew strong support from women cat owners
• JD Vance – Trump running mate whose “cat ladies” comments sparked controversy
• Taylor Swift – Influential Harris supporter who embraced the “cat lady” narrative

Key Numbers

• 67% – Share of voters who own either a dog or cat
• 60% – Women cat-only owners who supported Harris
• 30% – Voters who owned only dogs
• 15% – Voters who owned only cats

+ Full Analysis

Full Depth

The Catalyst

AP VoteCast’s post-election analysis revealed unprecedented data about pet ownership’s role in voting patterns. The controversy intensified when JD Vance’s comments about “childless cat ladies” went viral in October 2024.

Inside Forces

Dog owners showed strong Republican party identification, with 60% of male dog owners identifying as Republicans. Women cat owners emerged as a distinct Democratic voting bloc, particularly responding to Harris’s campaign outreach.

Power Dynamics

The pet owner vote represented two-thirds of the electorate, with dog owners forming the largest segment. Cat-only owners, while smaller in number, showed high engagement and distinct voting patterns.

Outside Impact

The results highlight growing cultural and political divisions between dog and cat owners. Campaign strategists are already analyzing these patterns for future electoral strategies.

Future Forces

• Campaigns may develop targeted messaging for pet owner demographics
• Pet ownership could become a more significant factor in voter analysis
• Political parties may adjust outreach strategies based on pet ownership patterns

Data Points

• 67% – Total pet-owning voters
• 30% – Dog-only owners
• 15% – Cat-only owners
• 20% – Owners of both dogs and cats