Majority of Americans back legal abortion despite restrictions

Three years after the Supreme Court decision that allowed states to impose stricter abortion laws, support for legal abortion among U.S. adults remains significant. A recent AP-NORC poll indicates that currently, about 64% of adults believe it should be legal in most or all instances. This marks a slight decline from a poll conducted the previous year, which showed 70% support. Over the past three years, opinions fluctuated but generally remained robust, indicating that many Americans still favor access to abortion despite various state-level restrictions. Even in states that impose the strictest abortion bans, a considerable number of residents advocate for its legality under various circumstances, reflecting persistent public demand for abortion rights. The survey also highlights that support varies across political affiliations, with nearly 90% of Democrats and approximately 40% of Republicans advocating for the legality of abortion, albeit this support has seen slight reductions since 2024. Polling data illustrates that while support is slightly down among both political parties, there is still a strong majority favoring legal access to abortion in specific situations such as when a fetus is diagnosed with a severe abnormality or when pregnancy poses serious health risks to the mother. Moreover, the overarching concern among adults is ensuring that the right to secure abortion does not lead to legal complications, especially in states with stringent anti-abortion laws. A significant portion of respondents expressed the need for access to abortions across state lines for women from stricter states, highlighting an ongoing debate about legal protections for women facing these restrictions. Overall, while the support for abortion rights has seen a minor drop since last year's polling figures, it remains high and indicative of a broader public sentiment that favors maintaining access to abortion services.