---
title: "Republicans Make Big Gains Among White Voters"
description: "Since 2008, Republicans have significantly increased their advantage over Democrats among white registered voters."
date: "2011-07-22"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2011/07/22/republicans-make-big-gains-among-white-voters/"
---

# Republicans Make Big Gains Among White Voters

Republicans now hold a 13-point lead over Democrats among white voters, a big increase since the 2008 election when their advantage was only two points. White voters now identify themselves as Republicans by a 52%-to-39% margin over Democrats, compared with four years ago when the margin was 46% to 44%. In comparison with 2008, Republicans now have the advantage across virtually all groups of white voters. Most notably, Republicans now have an 11-point lead over Democrats (52% to 41%) among white voters younger than age 30. In 2008, Democrats held a seven-point edge among this group (49% to 42%). Republicans also have widened their advantage among white men from 11 points in 2008 to 21 points now. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/2067/2012-electorate-partisan-affiliations-gop-gains-white-voters)