As U.S. Supreme Court Prepares to Overturn Roe v. Wade, Statewide Poll Finds Virginia Voters Overwhelmingly Support Abortion Rights

RICHMOND, VA – As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to overturn Roe v. Wade in the coming days, REPRO Rising Virginia and Care in Action released new polling that finds Virginia voters overwhelmingly support abortion rights. The statewide survey – conducted by Change Research from May 27 to June 2 – finds that 77% of all Virginia voters believe decisions about pregnancy should be made by women, not politicians.

The new poll also contains significant warnings for anti-abortion elected officials and candidates running in the Commonwealth’s upcoming Congressional elections. More than a third (37%) of independent voters say that overturning Roe v. Wade makes them more likely to vote for Democratic candidates, as opposed to 20% who are more likely to support Republicans. Electoral consequences are particularly pronounced among Latinx voters in highly-competitive Prince William County, with a majority (56%) saying they will support Democratic candidates post- Roe, and only 16% moving towards the GOP.

“The data is clear: Virginians are outraged about the fall of Roe v. Wade and ready to take this fight to the ballot box, ” said Tarina Keene, Executive Director of REPRO Rising Virginia. “We are about to witness an unprecedented backlash to anti-abortion extremists in Richmond and beyond – Governor Youngkin, legislators, and all candidates running this fall would be wise to heed this warning. REPRO Rising will not stop until every Virginian has the ability to control their own bodies, families, and futures.”

“Women of color overwhelmingly support access to abortion care and their right to reproductive freedom,” said Alexsis Rogers, Organizing Director of Care in Action. “We need to listen to this key voting bloc and prioritize issues that are important to them, especially given their organizing power to shift elections. Care in Action mobilizes domestic workers and women of color because we understand that the delivery of care and ability to receive care – including health care and child care – is essential in how this country operates. Our leaders should not only protect abortion rights, but also invest in a care economy that keeps our economy and communities moving forward.”

Three-quarters (75%) of women voters in Virginia say that Virginia lawmakers should do more to protect the right to abortion through state laws and policies. The overwhelming majority (81%) of Latinx voters in Prince William County – home to a highly-competitive race between Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and GOP nominee Yesli Vega – agree that lawmakers should do more. Vast majorities of women (74%) and Latinx voters in Prince William County (78%) want Virginia lawmakers to amend the state constitution to protect Virginian’s right to an abortion.

“Our survey found stunning intensity of emotion on the reversal of Roe v. Wade,” said Dr. Betsy App, Ph.D., Senior Survey Data Analyst at Change Research. “A plurality of Virginia voters say they feel ‘outraged’ at having their rights stripped away – and they are increasingly vocal in demanding action from their elected officials. It’s clear that this decision will have a sweeping impact on upcoming electoral and legislative fights in the Commonwealth.”

Although Virginia will not immediately criminalize abortion after the fall of Roe v. Wade – unlike 13 states with “trigger bans” – advocates expect significant barriers to access as thousands of out-of-state patients travel to Virginia for care. Polling demonstrates that Virginians understand this sweeping impact, with half (48%) of all voters saying they will be personally impacted if the US Supreme Court decides to eliminate the right to an abortion. 40% of Virginia voters say that the overturning of Roe v. Wade will affect their loved ones.

For crosstabs, questions, and methodological details on this poll, please see here.