March 03, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Mar. 3, 2004 - Americans continue to be divided over the issue of pregnancy termination, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. 36 per cent of respondents support making abortion more difficult for a woman, while 58 per cent disagree.

(CPOD) Mar. 3, 2004 - Americans continue to be divided over the issue of pregnancy termination, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. 36 per cent of respondents support making abortion more difficult for a woman, while 58 per cent disagree.

A Supreme Court ruling in 1973 gave American women the right to an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. President George W. Bush signed a federal restriction on late term abortions on Nov. 5, 2003, but the law was immediately challenged by U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf, who issued a temporary restraining order.

Massachusetts senator John Kerry --the frontrunner for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination-- does not support the ban on late term abortions, and is against a potential criminalization of a woman's right to choose.

The presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 2. 36 per cent of respondents say they would not vote for a candidate who disagrees with them on abortion.

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose making abortion more difficult for a woman?

Support	36%
Oppose	58%

Would you vote for a candidate who disagrees with you about abortion, if they agree with you on most other issues?

Yes, would vote for candidate	48%
No, would not vote for candidate	36%
Depends / Don't know	6%

Source: Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Methodology: Interviews to 1,500 American adults, conducted from Feb. 11 to Feb. 26, 2004. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.