A recent poll conducted by health policy research firm KFF has revealed a notable change in the top priorities of female voters, particularly Black women, in the upcoming presidential election. Historically, white conservative evangelicals have been known to prioritize abortion as a key issue influencing their voting decisions. However, the latest findings indicate a significant shift, with more than a quarter of female Black voters now identifying abortion as their primary concern.
This shift in voter priorities comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022, setting the stage for a new landscape in terms of abortion rights and access. The poll results suggest that abortion voters are increasingly represented by young Black women, rather than the previously dominant demographic of white evangelicals.
While overall, 12% of voters surveyed cited abortion as the most important issue in the upcoming election, certain groups of female voters were more likely to prioritize this issue. This includes 28% of Black women, 19% of women residing in states where abortion is banned, and 17% of women under the age of 50.
Of those who identified abortion as their top issue, a majority expressed support for legal access to abortion in all or most cases. This stands in contrast to the traditional narrative of white evangelicals who have historically advocated for stricter abortion regulations.
The changing demographics of abortion voters have implications for the upcoming election, with President Biden positioning himself as a defender of abortion rights following the Supreme Court's ruling. Biden's campaign has also announced efforts to mobilize female voters, particularly Black women, who played a crucial role in his victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
As states across the country continue to enact restrictive abortion laws, the issue of abortion access remains a focal point for many voters. The poll results indicate that a majority of voters oppose a national abortion ban starting at 16 weeks of pregnancy, highlighting the diverging views on this contentious issue.
With the upcoming election poised to be a battleground for competing visions on abortion rights, the shifting priorities of female voters, especially Black women, are likely to play a significant role in shaping the political landscape.
For more information and updates on abortion-related news, visit AP's coverage of abortion.
