May 30, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in the United States think the procedures to terminate a pregnancy should only be allowed in some cases, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 54 per cent of respondents say abortions should be legal only under certain circumstances.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in the United States think the procedures to terminate a pregnancy should only be allowed in some cases, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 54 per cent of respondents say abortions should be legal only under certain circumstances.

More than a quarter of respondents think the procedures should always be legal, while 17 per cent want abortion to be illegal in all circumstances.

The 1973 Supreme Court ruling gave American women the right to an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, and regulated the procedure during the second trimester "in ways that are reasonably related to maternal health." In the third trimester, a state can choose to proscribe abortion, except when necessary "for the preservation of the life or health of the mother."

On May 14, NARAL Pro-Choice America—one of the country’s main pro-choice political groups with over one million members—endorsed the presidential bid of Democratic Illinois senator Barack Obama. In a statement signed by president Nancy Keenan, the group said: "Obama has been a strong advocate for a woman’s right to choose throughout his career in public office. He steadfastly supports and defends a woman’s right to make the most personal, private decisions regarding her reproductive health without interference from government or politicians."

Polling Data

Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances, or illegal in all circumstances?

	May 2008	May 2007	May 2006
Legal under any circumstances	28%	26%	30%
Legal only under certain circumstances	54%	55%	53%
Illegal in all circumstances	17%	18%	15%
Unsure	2%	1%	2%

Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1.017 American adults, conducted from May 8 to May 11, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.