(NewsNation) — More Americans believe that states should not impose any restrictions on abortions, marking a change in views as more states enact bans or limitations on abortion procedures.
Data from the non-partisan research foundation PerryUndem reveals that nearly half of Americans, 45% of those surveyed, would support a ballot measure that guarantees reproductive freedom without any restrictions, including those based on fetal viability. Among women of reproductive age, that percentage jumps to 55%.
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, 13 states have banned abortion and seven have passed restrictions based on the number of weeks a woman is pregnant when seeking to terminate her pregnancy. Some of these bans occur as early as six weeks, a time when many women are unaware they are pregnant.
Over 28 million women of reproductive age reside in states that either ban or restrict abortions. In some states, voters have pushed back against these bans, successfully halting efforts to restrict procedures.
In states where procedures are banned or heavily restricted, women have expressed difficulties in obtaining treatment for life-threatening complications, even when state laws theoretically allow for exceptions in medical emergencies.
Prior to the Dobbs decision, abortion was a rallying point for conservative voters, who aimed to overturn Roe v. Wade. Republican politicians have continued to prioritize the issue and seek to expand abortion restrictions, including advocating for a national ban on abortions.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs, abortion has become a key concern motivating Democratic voters to vote, in an effort to protect reproductive rights. However, the new data suggests that many have shifted further to the left, as previous bans on abortions after 24 weeks were considered non-controversial even among Democrats.
After 24 weeks of pregnancy, it becomes extremely challenging for women to obtain an abortion due to state laws and the limited availability of providers willing and able to perform such procedures.
The data is not clear on the reasons behind the growing opposition to state-imposed limits on abortions. One possibility is that increased awareness of post-Roe bans and their consequences has led people to reject state regulations. Another possibility is that people are more aware of the reasons why someone might seek an abortion in the second or third trimester, primarily due to life-threatening medical conditions or a non-viable pregnancy.
While the exact reasons for the shift in attitudes remain uncertain, this change could have significant implications at the voting booth, as both parties are expected to raise the issue of reproductive choice leading up to the 2024 election.