The states that voted for Trump…and abortion rights
Dec 3, 2024
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Emily Bazelon, a New York Times Magazine staff writer and author of "America’s Split Screen on Abortion," discusses the puzzling trend where states supporting Trump also backed abortion protections. She talks about the inconsistencies in Trump's messaging around this issue and examines its implications for ongoing legal battles. Bazelon highlights how voter demographics affect support for abortion rights and explores the evolving narratives in the face of restrictive laws. The conversation unveils the complex interplay of politics and personal beliefs surrounding reproductive rights.
Despite majority support for abortion rights in certain states, this issue did not significantly influence federal election outcomes, revealing a disconnect in voter priorities.
Engaging real-life stories about the impacts of restrictive abortion laws could potentially sway opinions, though this messaging struggles to reach conservative audiences effectively.
Deep dives
Impact of the Dobbs Decision on Abortion Politics
The Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which ruled that the Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion, has significantly shifted the political landscape surrounding abortion rights. Despite a clear majority of Americans supporting legalized abortion under certain conditions, the decision has seemingly hit a ceiling for the abortion rights movement in recent elections. For instance, while voters in seven out of ten states chose to protect abortion rights when presented on the ballot, Donald Trump was re-elected, illustrating a disconnect between individual state choices and federal elections. This juxtaposition suggests that abortion issues, while important to many, did not sway voters decisively enough to impact the presidential race.
Voter Engagement and Abortion as an Election Issue
Polling data indicates that while abortion remains a significant issue for some, it is not a top priority for most voters, who often prioritize issues like the economy and healthcare. Although Kamala Harris actively campaigned on reproductive rights, her efforts did not translate into sufficient voter support to win the presidential election, raising questions about the effectiveness of abortion as a campaign issue. Furthermore, those who identified abortion as their primary concern were predominantly women of childbearing age, demonstrating that the issue may not resonate broadly across the electorate. As such, the abortion rights movement may need to expand its messaging to engage a wider audience.
Changing Perspectives on Abortion
There has been a notable shift in public opinion concerning abortion, particularly when individuals are confronted with real-life stories showing the consequences of restrictive abortion laws. Anecdotes about women suffering health complications due to abortion bans have prompted some previously opposed individuals to reconsider their stance on abortion rights. However, this humanizing aspect of the debate has not effectively reached conservative audiences, largely due to the coverage they consume. This highlights a gap in understanding and communication between different political groups regarding the implications of restrictive laws on personal health.
Future Strategies for Abortion Rights Advocates
In response to the challenging political landscape post-Dobbs, abortion rights advocates are increasingly focusing on state-level initiatives to secure abortion protection through ballot measures. Recent successes in traditionally conservative states indicate that direct voter engagement can lead to favorable outcomes for abortion rights. However, advocates face inherent risks in this strategy, as evidenced by the failures of initiatives that did not meet required thresholds or lacked essential support. Moving forward, the focus may shift towards judicial challenges or legislative efforts, especially in states where citizen-sponsored ballots are not an option for abortion rights advocacy.
Of the states that just passed measures protecting abortion, a majority of them also delivered their Electoral College votes to Donald Trump. New York Times Magazine staff writer Emily Bazelon joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why Democrats’ call to restore reproductive rights didn’t bring voters to their side, how Trump has been inconsistent in his messaging about the issue, and what this signals for efforts to keep abortion legal in America. Her article is “America’s Split Screen on Abortion.”
