Charleston, WV – On Monday, September 23rd, Hart Research will join WV FREE, legislators and key stakeholders across the state to announce findings from a telephone survey among 903 registered voters in West Virginia (WV) that demonstrate solid support for all West Virginians to have access to abortion.
By more than two to one, West Virginia voters agree that it is important for all West Virginians to be able to get the full range of reproductive healthcare, including abortion (66% agree it is important compared to 31% who disagree). This is the prevailing belief among Democrats (90% agree that it is important), Independents (70%), and even half of Republicans (48%). Belief in the importance of access to abortion is especially strong among 18- to 34-year-old voters (86% agree it is important) and women under age 50 (82%).
A majority of WV voters agree with the 1993 West Virginia Supreme Court decision that protects a woman’s right to abortion with 56% of voters saying they agree with the decision, which affirms that the state constitution safeguards a woman’s health by requiring healthcare coverage of maternity care and abortion. Only 33% of voters in WV disagree with that decision. Voters of all ages and education levels are more likely to agree than disagree with this decision. Younger voters under age 35 (70%) and women under age 50 (69%) agree at the highest rates.
West Virginians want abortion to remain legal and believe access to abortion is moving in the wrong direction in the United States. A majority of West Virginia voters do NOT want to see Roe v. Wade overturned and six in 10 (61%) support a woman’s right to abortion or believes the government should not prevent a woman from making that decision for herself. However, two in three (65%) think things are off on the wrong track when it comes to access in abortion in our country today. This is especially true among voters who oppose overturning Roe v. Wade (72%).
Margaret Chapman Pomponio, CEO of WV FREE said, “These results are not really surprising to us at WV FREE. As an organization that works on both reproductive healthcare policy and grassroots advocacy, we know that West Virginians are compassionate people who agree with transparency in healthcare and their right to access equitable healthcare. We are heartened by these results which prove that West Virginians want good jobs, quality education and healthy families – not politically motivated attacks on healthcare.” “We will be offering mini-grants for grassroots organizing throughout the state as we move into 2020, to reach more voters and talk to them about reproductive healthcare in West Virginia.”
Rebecca Naser, Senior Vice President of Hart Research commented, “This poll shows that efforts to restrict access to abortion in the state run afoul of West Virginia voters’ values and priorities. The majority of West Virginia voters tell us they believe abortion should be a personal decision and should remain safe and legal in the state. This is consistent with our prior polls in the state and makes it clear that access to abortion remains an important priority for West Virginians.”
ABOUT THE POLL:
Hart Research conducted the telephone survey among registered voters June 17 to 22, 2019. The sample is representative of the West Virginia electorate and consistent with the political inclinations of West Virginia voters statewide. The sample leans Republican by 18 points (45% identify as Republican, 27% as Democrat).
EVENT INFORMATION:
WHEN:
Monday, September 23rd at 10am
WHERE:
West Virginia State Capitol
The Lewis McManus Room – 252M
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East – Charleston, WV
WHO:
- Hart Research
- WV FREE
WHAT: Press Conference
Please RSVP to Julie Warden Julie@wvfree.org 304.444.1222 or contact for more information.
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WV FREE is a reproductive rights organization which envisions the elevation and empowerment of all West Virginians through the promotion of dignity and autonomy of women and families. We build stronger communities by advocating for reproductive health, rights, and justice. For more information, visit www.wvfree.org.
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