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University of Connecticut

Topics At A Glance: Abortion

Consider Self Pro-life or Pro-choice

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In general, would you say you are pro-life or pro-choice on abortion?
Sample: National registered voters who voted in the 2012 presidential election
Resurgent Republic Survey, [Nov, 2012]




In general, would you say you are pro-life or pro-choice on abortion?
Sample: National likely voters
NPR/Democracy Corps/Resurgent Republic Survey, [Oct, 2012]




With respect to the abortion issue, would you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?
Gallup Poll, [Sep, 2012]



Abortion Morally Wrong

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Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement. It is wrong for the federal government to create new healthcare regulations that force employers to violate their religious convictions by providing abortion drugs and contraceptives to their employees.
Sample: National likely voters
American Conservative Union Survey, [Sep, 2012]




Next, I'm going to read you a series of statements about personal behavior. Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe that it is morally acceptable or morally wrong....Having an abortion...Is this morally acceptable, or morally wrong?
Note: Asked of Form 1 half sample
Public Religion Research Institute American Values Survey, [Sep, 2012]




(Next, please read the list of statements about personal behavior. Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please say whether you personally believe that it is morally acceptable or morally wrong.)...Having an abortion
%
33     Morally acceptable
51     Morally wrong
5     Depends (Vol.)
3     Personal decision/choice (Vol.)
2     Other
*     Don't know
6     Refused
Note: Blacks
PRRI African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, [Jun, 2012]



Abortion: Legal/Illegal Generally

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Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases, or illegal in all cases?
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Political Survey, [Oct, 2012]




Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases, or illegal in all cases?
Public Religion Research Institute American Values Survey, [Sep, 2012]




Do you think abortion should be legal under any circumstances, legal under only certain circumstances, or illegal in all circumstances?
CNN/ORC International Poll, [Aug, 2012]



Abortion: Legal/Illegal in Specific Circumstances

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(As I read a list of some stories covered by news organizations this past week, please tell me if you happened to follow each news story very closely, fairly closely, not too closely, or not at all closely.)...Controversial comments about rape and abortion made by Missouri Representative Todd Akin...(If Necessary, ask:) Did you follow...controversial comments about rape and abortion made by Missouri Representative Todd Akin very closely, fairly closely, not too closely or not at all closely?
Pew Weekly News Interest Index Poll, [Aug, 2012]




Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered. For each one, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal....When the woman's life is endangered
CNN/ORC International Poll, [Aug, 2012]




(Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered. For each one, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal.)...When the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest
CNN/ORC International Poll, [Aug, 2012]



Late Term or Partial Birth Abortions

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(Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals.) How about...a law which would make it illegal to perform a specific abortion procedure conducted in the last six months of pregnancy known as a 'partial birth abortion,' except in cases necessary to save the life of the mother?
Gallup Poll, [Jul, 2011]




(Now let me read you brief descriptions of other decisions by the Supreme Court. After each one I read please, tell me if you agree or disagree with this decision.)...The Supreme Court decided that states have the right to ban partial birth abortion, even in cases where the mother's health is in danger....(If Agree/Disagree, ask:) (Is that strongly or somewhat?)
Sample: National likely voters
MoveOn.org Supreme Court Survey, [Apr, 2010]




Now I would like to ask your opinion about a specific abortion procedure known as 'late-term' abortion or 'partial birth' abortion, which is sometimes performed on women during the last few months of pregnancy. Do you think this procedure should be legal or illegal?
Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life Survey, [Aug, 2007]



Parental Consent

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(Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals.) How about...a law requiring women under 18 to get parental consent for any abortion?
Gallup Poll, [Jul, 2011]




(Now, I'd like to get your views on some other issues that are being discussed in the country today.) All in all, do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose...requiring that women under the age of 18 get the consent of at least one parent before they are allowed to have an abortion?
Note: Asked of Form 2 half sample
Public Religion Research Institute Millennials, Religion and Abortion Survey, [Apr, 2011]




Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose...requiring that women under the age of 18 get the consent of at least one parent before they are allowed to have an abortion?
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press/Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life Religion & Public Life Survey, [Aug, 2009]



Roe v. Wade

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In general, do you agree or disagree with the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to an abortion?
Sample: National registered voters
Quinnipiac University Poll, [Feb, 2012]




The Supreme Court legalized abortion 37 years ago in the ruling known as Roe versus Wade. If that case came before the court again, would you want the next justice to vote to uphold Roe versus Wade, or vote to overturn it?
ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Apr, 2010]




In general, do you agree or disagree with the 1973 Roe versus Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to an abortion?
Sample: National registered voters
Quinnipiac University Poll, [Apr, 2010]



From the Archives


Please tell me whether or not you think it should be possible for a pregnant woman to obtain a legal abortion...if she became pregnant as a result of rape?
Note: Asked of 1/3 sample
General Social Survey 2004, [Aug, 2004]




Regardless of your choice for president (in 2000), who do you think would do a better job of handling the abortion issue--George W. Bush or Al Gore?
Sample: National registered voters
Note: Likely voters
Los Angeles Times Poll, [Sep, 2000]




(Let me read you some specific issues.) When it comes to...dealing with the issue of abortion...which party do you think would do a better job--the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, both about the same, or neither?
Sample: National registered voters
NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [May, 1996]



Presidential Approval Ratings

Presidential Approval Ratings

Compare current trends to other presidents as far back as Roosevelt and Truman.


Most Important Problem Facing the Country

Economy in general
Blue bar 30%
Unemployment/Jobs
Blue bar 20%
Dissatisfaction with government/Congress/politicians/Poor leadership/Corruption/Abuse of power
Blue bar 15%
Federal budget deficit/Federal debt
Blue bar 11%
Poor healthcare/hospitals/High cost of healthcare
Blue bar 5%
Lack of money
Blue bar 4%

Note: Top specific responses only shown.
Gallup Poll, [Nov, 2012]
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Today's Number
21%
answered Extremely important when asked "(Next, I'm going to read you a list of specific health care issues the presidential candidates may be talking about this year (2012). For each, tell me how important the issue will be to your vote.)...Abortion...Would you say this issue will be extremely important to your vote for president, very important, somewhat important, or not too important to your vote?"
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, [Feb, 2012]


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Quick Dataset Search

RoperExpress logo Gallup/CNN/USA Today Poll [Jan, 2003]

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