Women thrive economically in states with reproductive rights

Abortion-rights advocates chant as they march during Rally for Abortion Justice, which is part of the Bans off Our Body nationwide day of action, in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood on May 14. Thousands attended the rally, which was organized in response to a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, who supported overturning Roe v. Wade. If overturned, abortion would become illegal in 26 states. (Pat Nabong/Sun-Times)

In exit polls from the Nov. 8 election, voters reported that two issues stood out above all others: the economy and abortion rights.

For generations, pundits and politicians alike have treated these issues as separate. The former has been viewed as embodying kitchen table concerns that confront Americans of every political stripe. The latter has been perceived as an issue of morality, religion or social equality that is only top of mind for “narrower” subsets of the electorate.