Nearly two years after the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS indicates that Americans remain broadly opposed to the ruling. However, while most oppose the decision, there is less agreement on how best to handle abortion laws moving forward. Roughly half of US adults believe federal politicians should work to enshrine abortion access nationally, while 37% support leaving abortion laws to the states, and 14% call for nationwide restrictions.
The survey shows that about two-thirds of Americans oppose the 2022 Supreme Court decision, while one-third approve of it. Those who strongly disapprove of the decision significantly outnumber those who strongly approve. A majority of those who disapprove of overturning Roe feel that federal politicians should work to pass laws ensuring national abortion access, while those who support the ruling generally believe laws on abortion should be left up to the states.
Abortion policy has become a significant issue leading up to the presidential election, with President Joe Biden making support for abortion rights a focal point of his campaign. Former President Donald Trump has distanced himself from GOP-led efforts for a national ban, stating that abortion regulations should be decided at the state level. The role of abortion policy in the election remains unclear, with voters’ decisions potentially being impacted by the differing laws from state to state.
Among registered voters, there is a decrease in the percentage of those who say they would only support a candidate who shares their views on abortion, suggesting that the motivation advantage lies with proponents of abortion rights. The survey also reveals that among voters who disapprove of the Dobbs decision, a significant majority currently support Biden over Trump. Biden’s approval rating for handling abortion policy is similar to his overall job approval, with a majority of those who want to protect abortion access national approving of his approach.
The poll indicates that most Americans believe Biden will work to enact national laws ensuring access to abortion if reelected, while a majority believe Trump would leave abortion laws up to the states. The survey also highlights differences in expectations between Democrats and Republicans regarding the candidates’ approaches to abortion policy. Abortion is considered important to a significant portion of voters, particularly among liberals and certain demographic groups likely to be key targets for the Biden campaign.
Overall, the survey shows a continued divide among Americans on the issue of abortion, with differing opinions on the role of federal politicians, state laws, and the potential impact on the upcoming election. The results highlight the complexity of abortion policy in the US and the importance of the issue to voters as they consider their choices in the presidential race.
