Many Americans oppose unrestricted abortion, but also reject total bans.

The Majority of Americans Support Abortion Restrictions, New Poll Shows

A recent poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that while two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should generally be legal, the majority also support certain restrictions on the procedure. The poll, released in June, provides valuable insights into public opinion regarding abortion.

Interestingly, only about a quarter of Americans believe that abortion should always be legal. This finding highlights the nuanced perspectives surrounding the issue.

Support for Legal Abortion Varies Depending on Pregnancy Stage

The poll further reveals that approximately 73% of people believe that abortion should be legal within the first six weeks of pregnancy. However, this number drops to only half of Americans when considering the 15-week mark, which marks the beginning of the second trimester.

Conversely, around 10% of Americans firmly believe that abortion should never be legal.

Public Opinion Remains Steady After Roe vs. Wade Overturn

The poll also gauged public opinion one year after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 decision, Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide. Surprisingly, the results indicate that public opinion has remained relatively stable since the court’s decision.

State-Level Abortion Bans and Exceptions

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Republican legislatures in several states have enacted abortion bans at the state level. Currently, abortion is banned throughout pregnancy in 14 states, each with its own set of exceptions.

For instance, in Georgia, abortion is prohibited once the unborn baby’s heartbeat can be detected, typically around six weeks. Similarly, Ohio and South Carolina have implemented “heartbeat” abortion bans, although these are currently tied up in court and not in effect. Florida recently passed a “heartbeat” ban, which will only take effect after the Florida Supreme Court delivers a ruling on a separate 15-week ban passed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Iowa is also expected to sign a “heartbeat” ban into law soon.

The Supreme Court’s Decision and Abortion Procedures

The Supreme Court’s decision, resulting from the Mississippi case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, not only overturned Roe vs. Wade but also another significant abortion case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey. These decisions have had a profound impact on abortion rights in the United States.

Abortion procedures vary depending on the stage of pregnancy. In the first trimester, a woman may opt for a medication abortion, which involves taking specific drugs at home to induce the shedding of the uterine lining and expel the fetus. For later-stage abortions, a surgical procedure called dilation and evacuation (D&E) is commonly used. This procedure involves dilating the cervix and using suction tubes and forceps to remove the fetus and other pregnancy-related tissue.

It is worth noting that pro-life doctors and organizations have criticized the D&E procedure, emphasizing its impact on the unborn child. Dr. Anthony Levatino, an obstetrician and gynecologist, testified to House lawmakers in 2013, describing the dismemberment of the fetus during a D&E procedure.

The Associated Press poll surveyed 1,220 people from June 22 to 26, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

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