A Majority of Voters Fear For Their Rights Post-Roe
By Bella Kumar
As we all know, the Supreme Court recently announced its decision on Dobbs v. Jackson. This decision effectively overturned the protected right to an abortion under the Constiution which was established by the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade. Justice Clarence Thomas argued in a concurring opinion that the Supreme Court “should reconsider” its past rulings codifying rights to contraception access, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage.
New polling from Data for Progress shows that a majority of voters are concerned about losing a number of their rights and freedoms in the future. Among voters:
64 percent of voters are concerned about same-sex marriage becoming illegal
79 percent of voters are concerned about states restricting access to birth control and other forms of contraception
78 percent of voters are concerned about doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals facing lawsuits or criminal charges from providing necessary reproductive healthcare
89 percent of voters are concerned about victims of rape or incest being forced to give birth to their abusers' children
66 percent of voters are concerned about transgender individuals losing access to medical care
The state of Missouri has enacted a law that prevents abortions unless it is a medical emergency. There are no exceptions for victims of crimes such as rape or incest. Now, some health centers in Missouri have indicated they will no longer provide emergency contraception, also known as Plan B, to victims of rape or incest out of fear that doctors could be sued by the state for providing this care. Seventy-seven percent of voters agree that doctors took an oath to protect patients and the government should not prevent them from providing care, especially in the treatment of victims of sexual crimes. This includes 86 percent of Democrats, 71 percent of Independents, and 72 percent of Republicans.
Voters are terrified that their rights are at risk. These issues will be critical in the midterm elections and these rights must be codified now.
Bella Kumar (@bellakkumar) is a communications intern at Data for Progress.