In recent years, abortion rights issues have become increasingly important to many voters in the United States. The introduction of restrictive abortion laws in numerous states — including highly restrictive bans signed into law in Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, and elsewhere — has convinced many Americans that it’s time to take a stand on the issue and make their voice heard. In the 2020 presidential election, the issue of abortion has been at the forefront of campaigns, and both major parties have promised to prioritize the protection of a woman’s right to choose.
The opinion of the majority of Americans appears to be clear — 68 percent of those polled in a 2019 survey said they did not support Alabama’s ban on nearly all abortions, with similar numbers of opposition to abortion restrictions in other states. This highlights the reality that abortion rights is now a major factor in deciding elections.
While abortion rights have long been a key political issue — a majority of voters in all 50 states supported Roe v. Wade in 1992 — the increasing prevalence of restrictive abortion laws has made this issue even more important. These laws are not only making it difficult for women to access the care they need, but they’ve also been seen as a clear attack on decades of hard-won progress that has secured basic rights for women across the US. As a result, the issue is now becoming a bigger factor in elections, with the clear implication that voting for a candidate who supports abortion rights can ensure their passage.
In short, the passage of increasingly restrictive abortion laws in recent years has drawn much needed attention to the issue of abortion rights — making it a ballot box winner in the 2020 presidential election and beyond.
