Abortion Overtakes Inflation for Women Under 30, Survey Shows

Abortion election issue/ young women voters/ 2024 election abortion/ Harris abortion stance/ reproductive rights/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A recent survey by KFF reveals that abortion has overtaken inflation as the primary election issue for women under 30, a shift that occurred following Vice President Kamala Harris’s replacement of President Biden on the Democratic ticket.

Abortion and Young Women Voter Priorities Quick Looks

• Top Issue: Abortion now leads inflation as the main election concern for women under 30.
• Age Divide: For women over 30, inflation remains the top priority.
• Impact on Elections: Many younger voters see the election as critical for abortion access.
• Harris vs. Trump: Most women believe Harris would support abortion rights, while Trump may back federal restrictions.
• Partisan Divide: Democratic women report higher satisfaction and hopefulness compared to Republicans.

Abortion Overtakes Inflation for Women Under 30, Survey Shows

Deep Look

Abortion has risen as the top issue for young female voters in the 2024 presidential race, surpassing inflation in priority for women under 30, according to a recent KFF survey. This shift became evident as Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden at the head of the Democratic ticket, influencing perspectives across demographics. Among women younger than 30, 2 in 5 now cite abortion as their most pressing concern, more than double the 1 in 5 who listed it as a top priority in the spring.

In contrast, for women over 30, inflation remains the leading issue, underscoring a generational divide within the electorate. Across all age groups, women listed inflation as their top concern, followed by threats to democracy, with abortion ranking third.

KFF, known for its research on health policy, conducted the survey from September 12 to October 1, polling 678 female voters. Most of the respondents had participated in an earlier survey conducted in May and June, and additional Black female voters were included to ensure a representative sample.

This elevated focus on abortion among young women can be traced to a changing legal landscape. The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, enabled by three justices appointed by former President Donald Trump, allowed many Republican-led states to impose strict abortion bans. Currently, 13 states ban abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions, while others prohibit it after approximately six weeks—often before women realize they’re pregnant.

Since then, Harris has made abortion rights central to her campaign, highlighting her commitment to protecting reproductive rights. She has publicly criticized the wave of restrictive abortion policies in Republican-controlled states, reinforcing her stance as a candidate supportive of abortion access.

The issue of abortion extends beyond the presidential race; it is poised to influence numerous elections this year. Ballot measures in nine states seek to secure abortion rights within state constitutions, while congressional, gubernatorial, and state legislative races could also play pivotal roles in shaping future abortion laws. More than two-thirds of women surveyed believe this election will have a significant impact on abortion access, up from just over half in the spring.

Respondents generally agreed on the candidates’ stances: the majority expect Harris would support legislation to protect abortion access nationally, while they believe Trump might endorse a 15-week federal abortion ban if Congress presented it. Although Trump recently stated he would veto such a measure, most women perceive him as more likely to back restrictions than Harris.

The survey revealed stark partisan differences, with 90% of Democratic women favoring Harris on abortion issues, compared to fewer than one-fifth of Republicans. The data also reflect similar partisan divides in views on birth control and access to reproductive healthcare.

Beyond policy preferences, Democratic women report feeling more hopeful and enthusiastic about the upcoming election than they did earlier in the year, with satisfaction rising from one-third to three-quarters. By contrast, Republican women have shown slightly lower levels of hopefulness and enthusiasm, with anxiety and frustration rising. Although GOP women’s satisfaction with their choices remains above half, the sharp increase in Democratic women’s approval of their options highlights the changing electoral dynamics ahead of November.

For younger women voters, whose primary concerns have evolved to focus on reproductive rights, the outcomes of this election season could determine the future of abortion access across the U.S.

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