By Sara Nydam |Staff Writer|

The presidential candidate that learns to appeal to women’s issues will be the candidate that wins this year’s elections.

Approximately 66 percent of women reported that they were registered to vote, according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau. With such a large demographic, candidates must learn how to appeal to women voters.

Only one presidential candidate in recent history has been able to win without the majority of women’s votes. That was George W. Bush in 2000. This only emphasizes the amount of impact women have during elections and how crucial their votes are.

As women decide which candidate they will be voting for in the upcoming election, the appealing aspects of each candidate will be an important factor when making their decision.

Women place an importance on fixing the economy as well as other issues that not only affect them but also their families, according to the Associated Press. It is necessary that our opinions are heard because these issues are not only important to women but also to the general population.

President Bush recognized this; while running for re-election in 2004, he persuaded almost 7 million more women to vote for him than during his first presidential election.

Unlike Mitt Romney, Bush spoke from the heart—a trait I believe Barack Obama shares with Bush.

“I feel like [Obama] stands for women’s rights while Mitt Romney stands to stifle them,” said student Shaina Turian.

“Critical issues to women are issues that are basic human rights issues. Areas of focus will be on health care issues, such as access to proper medical care and the availability of medical options,” said professor Shawnee’ Biggerstaff.

Women’s needs are historically different from men’s, which is why Romney reportedly consults his wife on almost every matter that involves his opinion on women.

Romney, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, has hopped on the bandwagon as far as reaching out to women in hopes of stealing some of the thunder from Obama.  A recent ABC poll found that among the registered female voters surveyed Obama led Romney by as much as 19 percent.

Within a week after Romney’s increased interest in women’s concerns, Obama began to reach out to women as well, hosting a conference on women and the economy. Both candidates have realized that they can’t win the presidency without a large percentage of women voters.

Democratic candidates have always had the lead in women’s votes because Democratic values appeal to women’s values more so than that of the Republicans.

Photos by  Sara Nydam