| Abortion, Same-Sex Marriage | |
|---|---|
| Favor Traditional Marriage, Pro-Life | 36% |
| Favor Traditional Marriage, Pro-Choice | 25% |
| Favor Same-Sex Marriage, Pro-Choice | 23% |
Pro-Choice Voters Divided Over Same-Sex Marriage
The emergence of same-sex marriage as a political issue is creating new challenges for the pro-choice movement.
Pro-Choice voters are evenly divided on the topic of same-sex marriage--48% favor the traditional definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman while 44% are opposed to that definition.
Pro-life voters overwhelmingly support the traditional definition of marriage.
Among all voters, 66% favor the traditional definition of marriage while 28% are opposed. Fifty-two percent (52%) of voters say they are pro-choice while 41% are pro-life.
Combining these two hot-button social issues, 36% of voters are pro-life and favor the traditional definition of marriage. Twenty-five percent (25%)are pro-choice and favor the traditional definition of marriage. Twenty-three percent (23%) are pro-choice and oppose the traditional definition of marriage.
Forty-seven percent (47%) of voters say that the abortion issue is very important when considering a Supreme Court nominee. Another 30% say it is somewhat important.
Fifty-two percent (52%) of voters say that abortion is morally wrong most of the time. Thirty-six percent (36%) disagree.
Fifty-three percent (53%) believe it is too easy to get an abortion in America. Just 18% believe it is too hard, while 22% say "about right." Among pro-choice voters, 27% say too easy, 31% too hard, and 33% about right.
Thirty-two percent (32%) say that overturning Roe vs. Wade would make abortion illegal. Forty-seven percent (47%) say it would be up to individual states to set their own laws.
Thirty-nine percent (39%) of American voters say it would be best for the Supreme Court to establish rules governing abortion. Fort-seven percent (47%) would prefer rules established by the state legislatures.
A related survey found that 58% of Likely Voters say that Senate Democrats should vote to confirm a qualified conservative nominee for the Supreme Court.
Earlier survey data showed that 42% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court. Nearly as many, 41%, have an unfavorable opinion. Retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is viewed favorably by 55% of American voters. Just 17% believe she is politically conservative.
During the battle over Judicial nominations earlier this year, just 22% of Americans had a favorable opinion of the filibuster compromise reached by fourteen Senators.
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Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.