There is strong support behind policies that would support women in difficult situations facing unplanned pregnancies.
While the nation is divided over the morality of abortion, nearly 8-in-10 voters believe abortion should be legal.
- This includes 53% of voters who say they are pro-life.
WHY IT MATTERS – A pro-life movement focused on passing stricter abortion laws will continue to face electoral backlash.
THE OPPORTUNITY – There is strong support for policies that would support women in difficult situations facing unplanned pregnancies.
HOW TO USE THIS DATA – The results provide a framework for a pro-life agenda that has the support of a large majority of Americans.
Click on the image below to read the full report…or read the summary below.
The Pro-Life Challenge: Nearly 8-in-10 Americans say abortion should be legal.
- While Americans are divided 48%-48% on the morality of abortion, 77% of Americans say abortion should be legal.
- This includes 53% of voters who consider themselves pro-life, 62% of Republicans and 80% of swing voters.
The Pro-Life Opportunity: Most say fewer abortions would be a good thing for America.
- 59% of Americans say it would be a good thing if more women decided to keep their babies rather than have abortions.
- This includes 88% of pro-life voters and a plurality (39%) of pro-choice voters, 77% of Republicans, 47% of Democrats, and 56% of swing voters.
- 53% of pro-life voters also say that the goal of fewer women deciding to have abortions is more important than passing stricter abortion laws.
There is overwhelming agreement on what’s more effective at reducing abortions.
- 84% of Americans say that passing support for women in difficult situations facing unplanned pregnancies would be more effective than passing stricter abortion laws at reducing the number of abortions in the U.S.
- This includes 77% of pro-life voters, 78% of Republicans, 88% of Democrats, 86% of swing voters and 82% of America’s New Majority voters.
There is strong support for policies providing more support for women in difficult situations facing unplanned pregnancies.
- Of the nine policies we tested, eight earned the support of at least 76% of the American people.
- The most popular were laws to improve pre- and post-pregnancy care and coverage, cracking down on violence targeting pregnancy resource centers, and holding men financially responsible for their share of care for the mother and baby during pregnancy, not just after the baby is born.
- The only policy tested that did not earn majority support was allowing unborn children to be claimed as dependents on tax filings once pregnancy is confirmed.
- 65% of Americans say these policies would be effective at reducing the number of abortions in America – including 78% of pro-life voters and 57% of pro-choice voters.