A recent survey conducted by the Data For Progress think tank has unveiled a noteworthy trend in voter sentiment. More than 1,200 voters across the nation participated in the survey, reflecting a prevailing belief that state legislatures should not possess the authority to ban abortion or gender-affirming care. Instead, respondents overwhelmingly favored decisions regarding these personal health matters to be guided by medical professionals rather than elected lawmakers.
The most significant finding from the poll was that 55 percent of voters firmly assert that “state lawmakers should not be allowed to implement full bans on abortion and gender-affirming medical care, and place criminal penalties on physicians who provide this care.” In contrast, only 34 percent believe that these restrictions fall under the purview of politicians. The margin of error for the poll stands at 3 percent, with likely voters surveyed between November 9th and 11th.
The survey revealed a substantial divergence in opinion based on political affiliation. Approximately 53 percent of Republicans expressed support for legislatures’ authority to restrict access to abortion or transgender health care, while 34 percent considered such matters beyond their purview. Conversely, around 76 percent of Democrats asserted that these decisions should fall outside the scope of state lawmakers’ work.
Of particular significance, among the crucial group of independent voters surveyed, 56 percent held the perspective that legislatures should not have the power to regulate such care, while only 29 percent believed they should.
Data For Progress leaders contend that this survey reaffirms a trend observed in recent elections. It underscores that voters are generally not aligned with conservative initiatives aimed at regulating women’s bodies or intervening in the identities of transgender teenagers. Rob Todaro, Communications Director at Data for Progress, emphasized the potential consequences of state bans on gender-affirming medical care and abortion. He stressed the importance of defending bodily autonomy and the right of families to make decisions about their medical care, free from political interference.
However, despite the prevailing sentiment revealed in the poll, the Human Rights Campaign reports that 22 states have already enacted laws restricting gender-affirming care for minors, impacting over 35 percent of transgender youth. Additionally, an online survey conducted by the 19th among more than 20,000 adults in late August found that transgender issues do not feature prominently in most Americans’ political priorities. Only 17 percent believed that politicians should focus on restricting gender-affirming care, while 33 percent believed they should prioritize protecting transgender individuals.
In summary, the survey underscores the growing resistance among voters to state-led restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming care, highlighting a preference for medical expertise over political interference in personal health decisions. However, the struggle for these rights continues in the face of existing legislation and varying political priorities across the nation.