Poll: Majority of Americans Want to Keep Abortion Legal, But Also Want Restrictions

What's the story?

• More than three-quarters of Americans say they want Roe v. Wade upheld, but a strong majority also want to see restrictions placed on abortion rights, according to a new poll by NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist.

What are the numbers?

Roe v. Wade

• 77% of respondents said the Supreme Court should uphold the landmark decision that gave women the right to have an abortion.
• 26% of Americans want to keep Roe in place, but add more restrictions.
• 21% want to see Roe expanded to establish the right to abortion under any circumstance.
• 16% want to keep laws the way they are.
• 14% want to see some of the restrictions allowed under Roe reduced.
• 13% say Roe should be overturned.

Restrictions

• 23% of respondent said they favored allowing abortion in just the first three months of a pregnancy.
• 29% of those polled said they supported abortion only in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the woman.
• 9% said they supported the procedure only to save the life of the woman.

What do you think?

Where do you fall? Do you favor upholding Roe v. Wade? Adding restrictions? Overturning the decision? When – if ever – do you support the procedure? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: Creative Commons)