Questions surrounding abortion rights have become particularly prevalent in the recent US elections. On June 24th, 2022, a historic Roe v Wade decision from 1973, which allowed unrestricted access to abortion across America, was overturned by the US supreme court. This shift was primarily brought about owing to three conservative judges, appointed by Donald Trump, who swung the court’s majority in favour of anti-abortion lobbyists. This decision marked a crucial turning point for the right to abortion as it was no longer a federally recognized right, but rather a matter for individual states to address.
Subsequent to the court’s ruling, a variety of responses were observed in different states. Many Republican-led states enforced severe restrictions on abortion rights, whereas others put forward ballot measures that upheld the right to abortion at state level, as seen in traditionally Republican states, such as Kansas. This undecidedness on the topic proved to be instrumental during the 2022 midterm elections, especially in deciding states like Michigan, where it led to triumph for the Democrats.
The presidential race has also been affected by the divisive abortion issue, with both Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, having to adjust their stances multiple times. Although Trump initially advocated for a nationwide abortion ban, he later shifted his assertion, stating that the decision should be left to individual states. His stance again varied when he was asked about the proposed limit on abortions, set at six weeks, for his home state of Florida.
On the other hand, Kamala Harris has maintained a strong and constant support towards pro-choice rights, contributing to her political influence significantly. Her consistent stance since the supreme court’s ruling has portrayed her as an eloquent champion for her side, reshaping her political image remarkably. She has pledged to ratify federal laws to secure the right to abortion. This however, might be challenging given it necessitates not only a majority in the House of Representatives but also a super-majority in the Senate.
Nonetheless, the revocation of Roe v Wade seems to have politically benefited the Democrats, kindling the hope that their supporters will be more motivated to vote on election day.