Americans widely opposed to decision overturning Roe nearly 2 years later: Poll

Americans still widely oppose the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which ruled women do not have a federal right to an abortion, according to a poll released Wednesday.

In the CNN poll, conducted April 18-23, 65 percent of respondents said they disapprove of the Supreme Court’s decision — including 47 percent who said they disapprove strongly and 18 percent who said they do so somewhat.

About 34 percent said they approve of the decision — including 20 percent strongly and 14 percent somewhat.

The tide has stayed relatively stable, with disapproval of the Supreme Court decision ticking up slightly over the past two years — up 2 points from July 2022, immediately following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, and up 1 point from July 2023.

Similarly, approval of the Supreme Court decision has declined slightly — down 3 points in July 2022, and down 2 points from last July’s 36 percent approval.

The minor changes are within the poll’s 3.4-point margin of error.

Abortion has already proved to be a key issue in the 2024 presidential election, as red states have enacted more restrictive abortion measures following the 2022 Supreme Court decision.

While supporters of President Biden’s reelection campaign are unified — 92 percent — in their disapproval of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, supporters of former President Trump’s 2024 campaign are split: 58 percent said they approve of the Supreme Court decision, while 42 percent said they disapprove.

Trump’s public statements on abortion have reflected the uncertainty of his base. After waiting months to unveil his official position on abortion, Trump said abortion laws should be left to the states, before later criticizing Arizona’s Supreme Court for upholding a Civil War-era near-total ban on abortion that was criticized by even many Republicans in the state. He also said later he would not sign a federal abortion ban, but he has frequently taken credit for appointing the justices who ultimately provided the votes to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Those who described themselves as conservative ideologically and Republican politically are more likely to approve of the Supreme Court decision than those who said they support Trump in 2024. About 64 percent of Conservatives said they approve of the decision, and 63 percent of Republicans said they approve of it.

The poll was conducted via web and phone among 1,212 respondents.

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