How important is abortion in the 2024 elections? To these groups, it's crucial

Abortion remains one of the most important issues to voters as the 2024 election nears, and some groups are making it their top priority.

Over a quarter of Black women (28 percent) said that abortion is the most important issue to them in the upcoming presidential election, according to a new poll from KFF released Thursday. While the issue is number one for 12 percent of voters overall, 19 percent of women in states where the procedure is banned and 17 percent of women under age 50 also list it as their main priority.

The report noted that "the group most impacted by reproductive health policy in this country – women ages 18 to 49 – see the upcoming election as a pivotal moment and largely support laws protecting access to abortions." That sentiment was shared by half of all voters, regardless of party, race, or gender.

The survey also found "broad support, even among partisans, for protecting access to abortions for patients who are experiencing pregnancy-related emergencies and protecting patients’ right to travel to access abortions," though Republicans and Democrats disagreed on the specific policies governments should implement.

Two-thirds of the public, including 86 percent of Democrats and 67 percent of independents, support a law guaranteeing a federal right to abortion. This is opposed by nearly 57 percent of Republicans. Similarly, 58 percent of the public overall opposes a 16-week abortion ban, while a majority of Republicans (63 percent) support this proposal.

While they are out-of-touch with the majority of American voters, Republicans are also growing increasingly disconnected from American women, particularly those of reproductive age.

Women ages 18 to 49 overwhelmingly said decisions about abortions should be made by a woman, in consultation with her doctor (86 percent). Two-thirds (67 percent) want the federal government to pass laws to protect abortion nationwide. A whopping 88 percent support laws protecting access to abortions for patients experiencing pregnancy-related emergencies, and 79 percent support protecting a patient’s right to travel to get an abortion.

"Post Dobbs, there seems to be a new generation of abortion voters," the report states.