Abortion

Line graph on the legality of abortion, trend from 1975 to 2022. Currently, 50% of Americans say abortion should be legal only under certain circumstances, 35% say it should be legal under any circumstances, and 13% say it should be illegal in all circumstances.

Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances or illegal in all circumstances?

	Legal under any	Legal only under certain	Illegal in all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2022 May 2-22	35	50	13	2
2021 May 3-18	32	48	19	2
2020 May 1-13	29	50	20	2
2019 May 1-12	25	53	21	2
2018 May 1-10	29	50	18	2
2017 May 3-7	29	50	18	3
2016 May 4-8	29	50	19	2
2015 May 6-10	29	51	19	1
2014 May 8-11	28	50	21	2
2013 May 2-7	26	52	20	2
2012 Dec 27-30	28	52	18	3
2012 May 3-6	25	52	20	3
2011 Jul 15-17	26	51	20	3
2011 Jun 9-12	26	52	21	1
2011 May 5-8	27	50	22	2
2010 May 3-6	24	54	19	3
2009 Jul 17-19	21	57	18	4
2009 May 7-10	22	53	23	2
2008 May 8-11	28	54	17	2
2007 May 10-13	26	55	18	1
2006 May 8-11	30	53	15	2
2005 Nov 11-13	26	56	16	2
2005 Jun 24-26	24	55	20	1
2005 May 2-5	23	53	22	2
2005 Mar 21-23	23	55	20	2
2004 May 2-4	24	56	19	1
2003 Oct 24-26	26	55	17	2
2003 May 5-7	23	57	19	1
2003 Jan 10-12	24	57	18	1
2002 May 6-9	25	51	22	2
2002 Mar 22-24	27	53	19	1
2002 Feb 8-10	26	54	18	2
2001 Aug 10-12	26	56	17	1
2001 May 10-14	26	58	15	1
2001 Mar 26-28	26	51	18	5
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	28	51	19	2
2000 Jan 13-16	26	56	15	3
1999 Apr 30-May 2	27	55	16	2
1998 Jan 16-18	23	59	17	1
1997 Nov 6-9	26	55	17	2
1997 Aug 12-13	22	61	15	2
1996 Sep 20-22 ^	24	52	17	7
1996 Jul 25-28	25	58	15	2
1995 Sep 22-24	31	54	12	3
1995 Feb 24-26	33	50	15	2
1994 Sep 6-7	33	52	13	2
1994 Mar 28-30	31	51	15	3
1993 Mar 12-14	32	51	13	4
1992 Jul 23-24 ^	34	48	15	3
1992 Jan 16-19	31	53	14	2
1991 Sep 5-8	33	49	14	4
1991 May 30-Jun 2	32	50	17	1
1990 Apr 5-20	31	53	12	4
1989 Jul 6-9	29	51	17	3
1989 Jul 6-7	29	51	17	3
1989 Apr 12-13	27	50	18	5
1988 Sep 25-Oct 1	24	57	17	2
1985 Jan 3-4	21	55	21	3
1983 Jun 24-27	23	58	16	3
1981 May 8-11	23	52	21	4
1980 Jul 11-14	25	53	18	4
1979 Feb 23-26	22	54	19	5
1977 Dec 9-12	22	55	19	4
1975 Apr 4-7	21	54	22	3
^ Based on registered voters
Gallup

Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances or illegal in all circumstances? [Asked of those who say abortion should be legal under certain circumstances:] Do you think abortion should be legal in most circumstances or only in a few circumstances?

Combined data based on full sample

	Legal under any	Legal under most	Legal only in a few	Illegal in all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2022 May 2-22	35	18	32	13	2
2021 May 3-18	32	13	33	19	3
2020 May 1-13	29	14	35	20	3
2019 May 1-12	25	13	39	21	3
2018 May 1-10	29	14	35	18	3
2017 May 3-7	29	13	36	18	4
2016 May 4-8	29	12	37	19	3
2015 May 6-10	29	13	36	19	2
2014 May 8-11	28	11	37	21	3
2013 May 2-7	26	13	38	20	3
2012 Dec 27-30	28	13	38	18	4
2012 May 3-6	25	13	39	20	4
2011 Jul 15-17	26	13	38	20	4
2011 Jun 9-12	26	12	38	21	2
2011 May 5-8	27	10	39	22	3
2010 May 3-6	24	15	37	19	5
2009 Jul 17-19	21	13	42	18	6
2009 May 7-10	22	15	37	23	3
2008 May 8-11	28	13	40	17	3
2007 May 10-13	26	15	40	18	1
2006 May 8-11	30	13	39	15	3
2005 Nov 11-13	26	16	39	16	3
2005 Jun 24-26	24	15	40	20	1
2005 May 2-5	23	12	40	22	3
2005 Mar 21-23	23	14	39	20	4
2004 May 2-4	24	13	42	19	2
2003 Oct 24-26	26	14	40	17	3
2003 May 5-7	23	15	42	19	1
2003 Jan 10-12	24	14	42	18	2
2002 May 6-9	25	12	39	22	2
2002 Mar 22-24	27	12	40	19	2
2001 Aug 10-12	26	12	43	17	2
2001 May 10-14	26	15	41	15	3
2001 Mar 26-28	26	13	38	18	5
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	28	11	38	19	4
2000 Jan 13-16	26	17	39	15	3
1999 Apr 30-May 2	27	12	42	16	3
1998 Jan 16-18	23	16	42	17	2
1997 Nov 6-9	26	15	40	17	2
1997 Aug 12-13	22	12	48	15	3
1996 Jul 25-28	25	13	43	15	4
1995 Sep 22-24	31	14	39	12	4
1995 Feb 24-26	32	9	41	15	3
1994 Sep 6-7	33	13	38	13	3
Gallup

With respect to the abortion issue, would you consider yourself to be pro-choice or pro-life?

Trend from polls in which pro-life/pro-choice was asked after question on legality of abortion

	Pro-choice	Pro-life	Mixed/Neither (vol.)	Don't know what terms mean (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2022 May 2-22	55	39	4	1	*
2021 May 3-18	49	47	2	1	1
2020 May 1-13	48	46	4	2	*
2019 May 1-12	46	49	2	2	2
2018 May 1-10	48	48	2	2	1
2017 May 3-7	49	46	2	2	1
2016 May 4-8	47	46	3	3	2
2015 May 6-10	50	44	3	2	1
2014 May 8-11	47	46	3	3	*
2013 May 2-7	45	48	3	3	2
2012 Dec 27-30	48	44	3	4	1
2012 May 3-6	41	50	4	3	3
2011 Jul 15-17	47	47	2	3	1
2011 Jun 9-12	46	48	2	3	2
2011 May 5-8	49	45	3	2	2
2010 May 3-6	45	47	2	4	3
2009 Jul 17-19	46	47	3	2	2
2009 May 7-10	42	51	2	4	1
2008 May 8-11	50	44	1	2	2
2007 May 10-13	49	45	3	2	2
2006 May 8-11	51	41	4	2	3
2005 May 2-5	48	44	3	3	2
2004 May 2-4	49	44	2	3	2
2003 Oct 24-26	48	45	3	3	1
2003 May 5-7	48	45	2	4	1
2002 May 6-9	47	46	3	3	1
2001 Aug 10-12	46	46	3	3	2
2001 May 10-14	48	42	4	4	2
2001 Mar 26-28	47	41	4	6	2
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	48	43	2	4	3
1999 Apr 30-May 2	48	42	3	4	3
1998 Jan 16-18	48	45	3	2	2
1997 Nov 6-9	51	40	3	3	3
1997 Aug 12-13	47	44	3	3	3
1996 Jul 25-28	53	36	5	3	3
1995 Sep 22-24	56	33	5	3	3
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

With respect to the abortion issue, would you consider yourself to be pro-choice or pro-life?

Trend from polls in which pro-life/pro-choice was NOT asked after questions on legality of abortion

	Pro-choice	Pro-life	Mixed/Neither (vol.)	Don't know what terms mean (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2019 Jun 3-16	52	43	4	1	*
2018 Jun 1-13	49	45	3	1	2
2015 Oct 7-11	49	44	2	2	2
2012 Sep 24-27	47	46	3	2	2
2010 Mar 26-28	45	46	4	2	3
2009 Nov 20-22	48	45	2	2	3
2008 Sep 5-7	51	43	2	1	3
2007 Jun 11-14	51	43	2	2	2
2007 Jun 1-3	52	39	4	2	2
2006 Jan 6-8	53	42	1	2	2
2005 Aug 28-30	54	38	3	2	3
2005 Jul 22-24	51	42	3	3	1
2004 Oct 14-16	52	41	2	3	2
2001 Aug 3-5	52	39	4	3	2
2001 Jul 10-11	50	40	4	3	3
2001 Feb 9-11	55	38	5	1	1
2000 Oct 6-9	47	45	3	2	3
2000 Jul 14-16	50	40	4	2	4
1996 Jul 18-21	48	40	5	4	3
1996 Mar 15-17	56	37	3	2	2
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

Next, we'd like to know how you feel about the state of the nation in each of the following areas. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. If you don't have enough information about a particular subject to rate it, just say so. How about -- the nation's policies regarding the abortion issue?

	Very satisfied	Somewhat satisfied	Somewhat dissatisfied	Very dissatisfied	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2023	7	19	21	48	5
2022	4	20	25	41	9
2021	8	25	25	30	12
2020	8	24	26	32	9
2019	9	27	23	28	13
2018	10	27	24	27	12
2017	11	28	24	24	13
2016	9	24	22	33	11
2015	10	24	24	24	18
2014	10	28	19	27	17
2013	12	32	21	25	11
2012	10	29	21	25	15
2008	12	31	23	20	13
2007	12	29	22	25	12
2006	11	29	22	26	12
2005	13	29	21	26	11
2004	12	33	22	24	9
2003	10	32	24	22	12
2002	11	37	19	24	9
2001	11	32	21	26	10
Gallup

(Asked of those dissatisfied with nation's policies on abortion) Would you like to see abortion laws in this country made more strict, less strict or remain as they are?

Combined responses: Satisfaction with abortion policies + follow-up of those dissatisfied

	Total satisfied	Dissatisfied, want stricter	Dissatisfied, want less strict	Dissatisfied, remain same	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2023	26	15	46	8	5
2022	24	22	30	14	9
2021	33	27	17	11	12
2020	32	24	22	12	9
2019	36	21	18	11	13
2018	37	22	19	10	12
2017	39	23	15	10	13
2016	33	29	13	13	11
2015	34	24	12	12	18
2014	38	25	13	8	17
2013	44	27	8	11	11
2012	39	28	9	9	15
2008	43	23	11	10	13
2007	41	24	13	10	12
2006	40	25	10	12	12
2005	42	25	11	11	11
2004	45	27	10	9	9
2003	42	27	9	9	13
2002	48	27	9	7	10
2001	43	26	8	13	10
Gallup

Would you like to see the Supreme Court overturn its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision concerning abortion, or not?

	Yes, overturn	No, not overturn	No opinion
	%	%	%
2022 May 2-22 ^	35	58	7
2021 May 3-18 ^	32	58	10
2019 Jun 3-16	33	60	7
2018 Jul 2-8	28	64	9
2012 Dec 27-30	29	53	18
2008 May 8-11	33	52	15
2007 May 10-13	35	53	12
2006 May 8-11	32	55	13
2006 Jan 20-22	25	66	9
2005 Jul 7-10 ^	28	63	9
2002 Mar 22-24	36	60	4
1992 Aug 13-14	34	60	6
1989 Oct 5-8	33	61	6
1989 Jul 6-7	31	58	11
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

If the Supreme Court were to overturn its 1973 Roe versus Wade decision concerning abortion, it would mean there is no constitutional protection for abortion rights and each state could set its own laws to allow, restrict or ban abortions. Do you think overturning Roe versus Wade would be a good thing or a bad thing?

	Good thing	Bad thing	No opinion
	%	%	%
2022 May 2-22 ^	32	63	4
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Thinking more generally, do you think abortion should generally be legal or generally illegal during each of the following stages of pregnancy. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

	Should be legal	Should be illegal	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
In the first three months of pregnancy
2022 May 2-22	67	27	5	2
2018 May 1-10	60	34	4	1
2012 Dec 27-30	61	31	6	3
2011 Jun 9-12	62	35	2	1
2003 Jan 10-12	66	29	3	2
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	65	31	2	2
1996 Jul 25-26	64	30	4	2
In the second three months of pregnancy
2022 May 2-22	36	55	7	2
2018 May 1-10	28	65	4	2
2012 Dec 27-30	27	64	5	4
2011 Jun 9-12	24	71	3	2
2003 Jan 10-12	25	68	4	3
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	24	69	4	3
1996 Jul 25-26	26	65	7	2
In the last three months of pregnancy
2022 May 2-22	20	71	8	1
2018 May 1-10	13	81	4	2
2012 Dec 27-30	14	80	4	2
2011 Jun 9-12	10	86	2	1
2003 Jan 10-12	10	84	4	2
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	8	86	3	3
1996 Jul 25-26	13	82	3	2
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

Thinking about how the abortion issue might affect your vote for major offices, would you -- [ROTATED: only vote for a candidate who shares your views on abortion (or) consider a candidate's position on abortion as just one of many important factors (or) not see abortion as a major issue]?

	Candidate must share views	One of many important factors	Not a major issue	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Registered voters
2022 May 2-22	27	54	16	3
2020 May 1-13	24	50	25	2
2019 Jun 3-16	27	48	24	1
2016 May 4-8	20	51	27	3
2015 May 6-10	19	49	28	4
2014 May 8-11	19	49	27	4
2012 Sep 24-27	17	45	34	4
2007 May 10-13	16	60	23	2
2004 Oct 14-16	17	46	35	2
2004 May 2-4	14	46	39	1
2001 May 10-14	21	52	25	2
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	14	52	32	2
1999 Apr 30-May 2	19	52	26	3
1996 Jul 25-28	15	53	30	2
1996 Jul 18-21	17	50	30	4
1992 Jun 29	13	46	36	5
National adults
2022 May 2-22	29	51	16	4
2020 May 1-13	24	47	25	4
2019 Jun 3-16	29	44	26	1
2016 May 4-8	20	49	28	4
2015 May 6-10	21	46	27	5
2014 May 8-11	19	48	28	6
2012 Sep 24-27	18	44	33	5
2008 May 8-11	13	49	37	2
2007 May 10-13	16	59	23	3
2004 Oct 14-16	17	46	35	2
2004 May 2-4	14	45	39	2
2001 May 10-14	20	51	27	2
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	15	49	33	3
1999 Apr 30-May 2	19	51	27	3
1996 Jul 25-28	16	51	30	3
1996 Jul 18-21	18	48	30	4
Gallup

Next, I'm going to read you a list of issues. Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe that in general it is morally acceptable or morally wrong. How about abortion?

	Morally acceptable	Morally wrong	Depends on situation (vol.)	Not a moral issue (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2022 May 2-22	52	38	9	*	1
2021 May 3-18	47	46	6	*	1
2020 May 1-13	44	47	9	*	1
2019 May 1-12	42	50	6	*	1
2018 May 1-10	43	48	7	--	1
2017 May 3-7	43	49	7	*	2
2016 May 4-8	43	47	9	*	2
2015 May 6-10	45	45	8	1	1
2014 May 8-11	42	48	8	*	1
2013 May 2-7	42	49	8	*	2
2012 May 3-6	38	51	9	*	2
2011 May 5-8	39	51	7	*	3
2010 May 3-6	38	50	9	*	3
2009 May 7-10	36	56	6	*	1
2008 May 8-11	40	48	10	*	2
2007 May 10-13	40	51	7	*	1
2006 May 8-11	43	44	11	*	2
2005 May 2-5	40	51	8	-	1
2004 May 2-4	40	50	8	*	2
2003 May 5-7	37	53	9	*	1
2002 May 6-9	38	53	8	*	1
2001 May 10-14	42	45	11	1	1
*Less than 0.5%; (vol.) = Volunteered response
Gallup

Do you favor or oppose each of the following restrictions on abortion? [RANDOM ORDER]

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
A ban on abortions after the 18th week of a pregnancy	41	56	3
A ban on abortions after a heartbeat can be detected in the fetus	38	58	4
A ban on abortions that are done if a fetus is found to have a genetic disease or disorder	38	57	4
May 3-18, 2021; All items asked of a half sample
Gallup

Would you favor or oppose a law that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, usually around the sixth week of pregnancy?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 Jun 3-16	40	58	3
Gallup

Next, I'd like your overall opinion of some organizations. Is your overall opinion of [RANDOM ORDER] very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable or very unfavorable? Next, how about ... Planned Parenthood?

	Very favorable	Mostly favorable	Mostly unfavorable	Very unfavorable	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2018 Jun 1-13	31	31	14	20	4
2015 Oct 7-11	28	31	14	23	5
1993 Mar 12-14	40	41	8	5	6
1989 Feb 28-Mar 2	29	50	7	4	11
Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered in the FIRST THREE MONTHS of pregnancy. Thinking specifically about the FIRST trimester, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about ... [RANDOM ORDER]?

Asked of half sample

	Legal	Illegal	No opinion
	%	%	%
When the woman's life is endangered
2018 May 1-10	83	15	2
2003 May 19-21	82	15	3
When the child would be born mentally disabled
2018 May 1-10	56	41	3
2003 May 19-21	50	46	4
When the child would be born with a life-threatening illness
2018 May 1-10	67	31	3
2003 May 19-21	60	35	5
When the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest
2018 May 1-10	77	21	2
2003 May 19-21	72	24	4
When the woman does not want the child for any reason
2018 May 1-10	45	53	2
2003 May 19-21	41	56	3
When the child would be born with Down Syndrome
2018 May 1-10	49	48	2
Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered in the LAST THREE MONTHS of pregnancy. Thinking specifically about the THIRD trimester, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about ... [RANDOM ORDER]?

Asked of half sample

	Legal	Illegal	No opinion
	%	%	%
When the woman's life is endangered
2018 May 1-10	75	22	3
2003 May 19-21	75	22	3
When the child would be born mentally disabled
2018 May 1-10	35	61	4
2003 May 19-21	38	56	6
When the child would be born with a life-threatening illness
2018 May 1-10	48	49	3
2003 May 19-21	48	47	5
When the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest
2018 May 1-10	52	42	5
2003 May 19-21	59	39	2
When the woman does not want the child for any reason
2018 May 1-10	20	77	3
2003 May 19-21	24	74	2
When the child would be born with Down Syndrome
2018 May 1-10	29	68	3
Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Allow females of any age to purchase the "Morning After" pill, a form of emergency contraception, without a prescription?

	Vote for	Vote against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Jun 15-16	49	48	3
Gallup

What is your impression of how most Americans feel about abortion -- do you think most Americans are pro-choice or pro-life?

	Pro-choice	Pro-life	Mixed/Neither (vol.)	Don't know what terms mean (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2013 May 2-7	51	35	7	2	5
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring women seeking abortions to wait 24 hours before having the procedure done

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2011 Jul 15-17	69	28	3
2003 Jan 10-12	78	19	3
1996 Jul 25-28	74	22	4
1992 Jan 16-19	73	23	4
Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring women under 18 to get parental consent for any abortion

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2011 Jul 15-17	71	27	2
2005 Nov 11-13	69	28	3
2003 Jan 10-12	73	24	3
1996 Jul 25-28	74	23	3
1992 Jan 16-19	70	23	7
Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? 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

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2011 Jul 15-17	64	31	5
2003 Jan 10-12	70	25	5
2000 Oct 25-28	63	35	2
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	66	29	5
2000 Jan 13-16	64	31	5
1999 Apr 30-May 2	61	34	5
1998 Jan 16-18	61	36	3
1997 Mar 24-26	55	40	5
1996 Apr 25-28	57	39	4
Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring doctors to inform patients about certain possible risks of abortion before performing the procedure

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2011 Jul 15-17	87	11	2
Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law prohibiting health clinics that provide abortion services from receiving any federal funds

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2011 Jul 15-17	40	57	3
Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law allowing pharmacists and health providers to opt out of providing medicine or surgical procedures that result in abortion

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2011 Jul 15-17	46	51	4
Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring women seeking an abortion to be shown an ultrasound image of her fetus at least 24 hours before the procedure

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2011 Jul 15-17	50	46	3
Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring that the husband of a married woman be notified if she decides to have an abortion

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2005 Nov 11-13	64	34	2
2003 Jan 10-12	72	26	2
1996 Jul 25-28	70	26	4
1992 Jan 16-19	73	25	2
Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A constitutional amendment to ban abortion in all circumstances, except when necessary to save the life of the mother

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2005 Nov 11-13	37	61	2
2003 Jan 10-12	38	59	3
1996 Jul 25-28	38	59	3
1992 Jan 16-19	42	56	2
1984	50	46	4
Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring doctors to inform patients about alternatives to abortion before performing the procedure

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2003 Jan 10-12	88	11	1
1996 Jul 25-28	86	11	3
1992 Jan 16-19	86	12	2
Gallup

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. How about -- When the woman's life is endangered?

	Should be legal	Should be illegal	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Jun 9-12	83	13	1	3
2003 Jan 10-12	85	11	2	2
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	84	12	2	2
1996 Jul 25-26	88	7	3	2
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

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. How about -- When the woman's physical health is endangered?

	Should be legal	Should be illegal	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Jun 9-12	82	15	1	2
2003 Jan 10-12	77	17	4	2
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	81	15	2	2
1996 Jul 25-26	82	11	5	2
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

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. How about -- When the woman's mental health is endangered?

	Should be legal	Should be illegal	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Jun 9-12	61	35	2	2
2003 Jan 10-12	63	32	3	2
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	64	29	3	4
1996 Jul 25-26	66	27	5	2
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

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. How about -- When there is evidence that the baby may be physically impaired?

	Should be legal	Should be illegal	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Jun 9-12	50	45	2	3
2003 Jan 10-12	56	37	4	3
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	53	39	5	3
1996 Jul 25-26	53	37	7	3
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

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. How about -- When there is evidence that the baby may be mentally impaired?

	Should be legal	Should be illegal	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Jun 9-12	51	46	2	2
2003 Jan 10-12	55	39	3	3
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	53	40	4	3
1996 Jul 25-26	54	36	7	3
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

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. How about -- When the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest?

	Should be legal	Should be illegal	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Jun 9-12	75	22	1	2
2003 Jan 10-12	76	19	2	3
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	78	19	1	2
1996 Jul 25-26	77	18	3	2
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

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. How about -- When the woman or family cannot afford to raise the child?

	Should be legal	Should be illegal	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Jun 9-12	36	61	1	2
2003 Jan 10-12	35	61	2	2
2000 Mar 30-Apr 2	34	62	2	2
1996 Jul 25-26	32	62	3	3
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

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 that this procedure should be legal or illegal?

	Legal	Illegal	No opinion
	%	%	%
2007 May 10-13	22	72	5
2003 Oct 24-26	25	68	7
Gallup

Would you favor or oppose a law in your state that would ban all abortions except those necessary to save the life of the mother?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2006 Mar 10-12	36	60	3
Gallup

What is your impression of how most Americans feel about abortion -- do you think most Americans feel -- [ROTATED: abortions should be legal under any circumstances, abortions should be legal only under certain circumstances or abortions should be illegal in all circumstances]?

	Legal under any	Legal under certain	Illegal in all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2005 May 2-5	13	67	16	4
2001 May 10-14	16	66	11	7
Gallup

Now thinking about future nominees to the United States Supreme Court, how important is it to you, personally, that they share your views on the abortion issue -- very important, somewhat important, not too important or not important at all?

	Very important	Somewhat important	Not too important	Not important at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2005 May 2-5	45	31	15	8	1
Gallup

As you may know, in 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court announced a landmark decision on abortion known as Roe versus Wade. Do you think that decision was a -- [ROTATED: good thing (or a) bad thing] -- for the country?

	Good thing	Bad thing	No opinion
	%	%	%
2003 Jan 10-12	53	30	17
Gallup

Abortion

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