Since the Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973, abortion rights have been a major voting issue for many Americans. While the landmark decision gave women the right to abortion, the issue continues to be contentious in the US. Abortion rights supporters generally view Roe as a crucial protection for women’s health and autonomy. Opponents, on the other hand, advocate for abortion restrictions or bans on the basis of morality. In recent years, the potential overturning of Roe has become an even more prominent issue at the ballot box, as new laws restricting abortion are proposed or debated. In the 2018 midterm elections, for example, abortion rights were a major motivator for many voters, with exit polls showing more than half of women prioritizing abortion rights when making their choice for Congress. This could be further amplified in the 2020 election, as reproductive health is becoming increasingly central in the national discourse.
