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Abortion has emerged as a key issue for voters in the 2024 U.S. election, with its significance surpassing that of immigration, according to a report by Newsweek. This development comes four years after a Pew Research poll showed that over half of American Catholics supported legal abortion in most cases.
The upcoming election on November 5 could be influenced by changing attitudes toward abortion, affecting the chances of both Republican nominee Donald J. Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Natalie Dodson from the Ethics & Public Policy Center noted, "If public opinion has changed, it’s not that Americans are radically pro-abortion, but instead, that the public has been sold a lie about how the abortion industry functions."
Despite Trump's role in overturning Roe v. Wade by appointing Supreme Court justices who facilitated this decision, his campaign does not prominently feature abortion in its platform. In contrast, Kamala Harris' campaign emphasizes her support for reproductive rights and predicts potential restrictions under a Trump administration.
Harris pledged at a Michigan rally to sign legislation restoring reproductive freedom if elected. She also highlighted her stance during an interview with Norah O’Donnell on CBS Evening News.
Trump's stance on abortion appears to have shifted amid public opposition to strict bans. During an October Fox News town hall, he suggested some laws were too harsh and indicated they might be revised through popular vote.
Ballot measures related to abortion will appear in ten states this November. These initiatives range from enshrining abortion rights in state constitutions to expanding anti-discrimination laws concerning reproductive health.
Father Shenan Boquet of Human Life International urged Catholic voters to consider candidates' positions on human dignity and societal impact when voting. He emphasized distinguishing between intrinsic evils and other moral issues such as immigration and health care.
Helen Alvaré from George Mason University expressed concern about the national dialogue on abortion failing to address the reality of the procedure itself. She cited Pope John Paul II's perspective on the vulnerability of unborn children and criticized any celebration of abortion as a victory for women.
Kimberley Heatherington contributed reporting from Virginia for OSV News.
