A California field poll shows men favor Obama over Clinton 44 to 31 percent, while women support Clinton over Obama 40 to 27 percent.
"She's a woman. For some women, it will make all the difference in the world," says Kenneth Nuger, San Jose State Political Science teacher.
Women and Latinos are typically strong Clinton supporters, however the pendulum is swinging in Obama's favor. It's not just high powered women like Oprah Winfrey and Maria Shriver in Obama's corner, but college aged female voters as well.
"I think I get more angry when I hear anybody voting for somebody because they're black or a woman," says Vera Harper, San Jose State student.
Gender playing a role in politics isn't necessarily always a positive. In fact, the latest University of Michigan study shows that 10 to 13 percent of Americans refuse to vote for a woman for president.
That's not the case for Jennifer Tam. She's casting her early ballot for Hillary Clinton.
"It would be really cool to have the first woman president, but what really matters is the choices they'll make and what they plan on doing," says Tam.
Super Tuesday will shed more light on what Californians really think about their Democratic nominees.
