The Power of the Pro-Life Vote
After every election, the National Right to Life Committee provides a valuable service to our cause by conducting polling to learn how pro-life issues impacted the vote. Yes, we know that in 2010 it was the economy, the economy, the economy. But, hidden among the talk about the economy was a very real and powerful vote for life.
The post-election poll conducted by The Polling Company found that:
- 30% of voters said abortion had an impact on their vote.
- Of that 30%, 22% voted for pro-life candidates and just 8% for pro-abortion candidates.
- This gave pro-life candidates a substantial 14 percentage point advantage.
Not too shabby!
On Obamacare and abortion funding:
- 27% of voters said abortion funding in Obamacare impacted their vote and they voted for candidates who opposed Obamacare.
- Only 4% of voters said abortion funding in Obamacare impacted their vote and they voted for candidates who favored Obamacare.
On rationing in Obamacare:
- 44% of voters said rationing in Obamacare impacted their vote and they voted for candidates who opposed Obamacare.
- 10% of voters said rationing in Obamacare impacted their vote and they voted for candidates who favored Obamacare.
On Obamacare itself:
- 54% oppose the law (44% strongly).
- 39% favor the law (26% strongly).
On the issue of legal abortion itself:
- 53% oppose legal abortions except at most in cases to save the life of the mother or rape and incest.
- 41% favor legal abortion regardless of the reason.
All of the time, energy and resources used to inform the electorate about candidate positions on abortion was well worth the effort. It is stunning that almost 38 years after abortion was legalized in the U.S., abortion remains a volatile subject and a potent issue for voters.
Barbara Lyons