Reader Discretion is Advised: In this wave of Navigator, we tested a variety of outcomes to women’s healthcare since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June. Some of these outcomes include medical trauma including life-threatening complications. While we do not want to dismiss the realities of these experiences, some may be upsetting, and reader discretion is advised.
- Nearly seven in ten oppose a nationwide abortion ban, including pluralities of independents and Republicans.
- The most concerning potential outcomes of a nationwide abortion ban include forcing women to carry stillborn babies for a full nine months and lack of exceptions to protect the health of the mother.
- The most concerning realities of a post-Roe America focus on the physical dangers and hardships that pregnant Americans have had to endure as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe.
Americans Overwhelmingly Trust Biden & Democrats on Protecting Abortion Rights and Fighting Abortion Bans
Women trust Biden and Democrats more to protect abortion rights by 37 points and to fight abortion bans by 44 points; independents also trust Biden and Democrats more to protect abortion rights by 25 points and to fight bans by 36 points.
Majorities of Americans Continue to Be Pro-Choice and Disapprove of the Supreme Court’s Decision on Roe v. Wade
Majorities of Democrats (81%) and independents (60%) describe themselves as pro-choice and disapprove of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade (78% and 56%, respectively).
Bipartisan Pluralities Oppose a Nationwide Abortion Ban, Including Republicans
Net opposition has increased by 6 points since late June (from net -35 to net -41).
- Seven in ten independents (70%) and a 49% plurality of Republicans oppose a nationwide ban on abortion.
Federal Abortion Ban is Broadly Unpopular With or Without 15-Week Restriction
By a 23-point margin, independents oppose a nationwide 15-week ban, as do a plurality of Republicans (46%).
Most Concerning Parts of Ban Are Forcing Women to Carry Stillborn Babies and Lack of Exceptions for Mother’s Health
Majorities of Americans find each of the outcomes tested to be “very concerning.” • Women across party lines are more concerned than their male counterparts by the abortion ban outcomes shown.
Specific Examples of the Hardships and Dangers Endured Since Roe Was Overturned Are Deeply Concerning to Two in Three
Two in three find each of a range of specific examples of what pregnant Americans have had to endure – from a ten-year-old rape victim being denied an abortion, to a woman being forced to carry a dead fetus in the womb for two weeks – to be very concerning.
The Prospect of a Nationwide Abortion Ban Is Even More Motivating Than SCOTUS Overturning Roe
Compared to our last survey, when 57% said they felt more motivated to vote because of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, an even higher 65% are motivated by the news of a national abortion ban (including 82% of Democrats and 58% of independents).
About The Study
Global Strategy Group conducted public opinion surveys among a sample of 997 registered voters from September 22-September 26, 2022. 100 additional interviews were conducted among Hispanic voters. 87 additional interviews were conducted among Asian American and Pacific Islander voters. 100 additional interviews were conducted among African American voters. 100 additional interviews were conducted among independent voters.