May 22, 2019 - U.S. Voter Support For Abortion Is High, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 94 Percent Back Universal Gun Background Checks PDF format Trend Information Sample and Methodology detail Abortion should be legal in all cases, 28 percent of American voters say in a Quinnipiac University National Poll today, matching the highest level of support for abortion in all cases since Quinnipiac University first asked the question in 2004. Another 32 percent say abortion should be legal in most cases, as 27 percent say abortion should be illegal in most cases and 8 percent say it should be illegal in all cases, the lowest level of support for illegal in all cases, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University National Poll finds. American voters agree 65 - 27 percent with the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision. Republicans disagree 58 - 34 percent, the only listed party, gender, education, age or racial group to disagree. By 57 - 29 percent, American voters do not think the Supreme Court is likely to overturn Roe v. Wade in the next few years. Voters say 82 - 13 percent that abortion should be legal when pregnancy is caused by rape or incest. Republicans agree 68 - 25 percent. And voters oppose 48 - 41 percent banning abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detectable. Men are divided as 43 percent support the fetal heartbeat rule, with 45 percent opposed. Women oppose the fetal heartbeat rule 51 - 39 percent. The Supreme Court should make it easier for a woman to get an abortion, 40 percent of voters say, as 36 percent say the Court should make it harder to get an abortion. "There is little ambivalence as recent legislation in Alabama, Missouri and other states renews an emotional national debate over abortion," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "Americans are in agreement on upholding one of the country's most contentious rulings. "And in the nightmarish scenario of rape or incest, party lines fall away in support of allowing abortions." The Supreme Court is motivated mainly by politics, 55 percent of American voters say, while 38 percent say it is motivated mainly by the law. The Supreme Court is too liberal, 16 percent of voters say, as 35 percent say it is too conservative and 39 percent say it is "about right." Gun Control American voters support 94 - 4 percent requiring background checks for all gun buyers. Gun owners support universal background checks 90 - 9 percent. Voters support 61 - 34 percent stricter gun laws in the U.S. Republicans, gun owners and voters in households where there is a gun are the only listed groups opposed. Voters also support 77 - 19 percent requiring individuals to obtain a license before being able to purchase a gun. Voters also support 63 - 33 percent a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons. Again, Republicans and gun owners are the only listed groups opposed, while voters in gun households are divided. "A nation with more guns than people and a history of horrifying mass shootings continues to call - or cry - for tighter gun regulation," Malloy said. From May 16 - 20, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,078 voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points, including the design effect. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts gold standard surveys using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts nationwide surveys and polls in more than a dozen states on national and statewide elections, as well as public policy issues. Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll Call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll. 39. In general, do you think that the Supreme Court is mainly motivated by politics or mainly motivated by the law? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Mainly politics 55% 45% 63% 55% 52% 57% 47% 58% Mainly law 38 49 29 39 41 35 48 36 DK/NA 8 6 8 6 7 8 6 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Mainly politics 71% 61% 49% 47% 48% 55% 52% 65% 63% Mainly law 25 35 44 42 47 37 42 28 26 DK/NA 4 4 7 11 5 7 6 8 11 TREND: In general, do you think that the Supreme Court is mainly motivated by politics or mainly motivated by the law? Mainly Mainly Pol Law DK/NA May 22, 2019 55 38 8 Jul 02, 2018 50 42 7 40. Do you think that the Supreme Court should be restructured in order to reduce the influence of politics, or don't you think so? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Restructured 51% 32% 69% 49% 42% 58% 46% 48% No 39 57 20 40 49 30 44 42 DK/NA 11 11 11 11 9 12 10 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Restructured 66% 56% 49% 40% 38% 55% 47% 68% 61% No 26 40 43 45 54 33 42 23 32 DK/NA 8 5 9 15 9 13 11 9 7 41. Do you think the Supreme Court is too liberal, too conservative, or about right? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Liberal 16% 29% 6% 14% 16% 16% 12% 19% Conservative 35 7 69 29 33 36 42 24 About right 39 58 17 44 43 36 40 44 DK/NA 11 7 8 12 9 12 6 12 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Liberal 18% 12% 18% 15% 18% 15% 16% 9% 17% Conservative 36 42 37 29 29 35 32 50 31 About right 35 38 39 45 45 38 42 24 42 DK/NA 11 8 6 11 8 11 10 17 10 TREND: Do you think the Supreme Court is too liberal, too conservative, or about right? Too Too About Lib Cons Right DK/NA May 22, 2019 16 35 39 11 Nov 20, 2018 14 36 41 9 Jul 02, 2018 19 31 41 9 Apr 21, 2010 29 19 40 12 Jul 17, 2008 25 31 33 10 Aug 16, 2007 20 29 37 13 42. Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Legal all cases 28% 8% 48% 26% 24% 33% 30% 23% Legal most cases 32 20 37 38 33 30 36 28 Illegal most cases 27 51 9 23 29 24 22 36 Illegal all cases 8 15 4 8 8 8 7 8 DK/NA 5 6 2 5 5 4 4 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Legal all cases 42% 30% 25% 23% 23% 29% 26% 33% 33% Legal most cases 30 35 36 28 32 31 32 34 26 Illegal most cases 18 27 30 29 32 26 29 20 27 Illegal all cases 7 6 6 11 7 10 9 6 13 DK/NA 3 1 3 9 5 4 4 7 2 RELIGION................. Wht ATTEND SRVCS Evang Prot Cath None Weekly Less Legal all cases 5% 15% 24% 50% 15% 33% Legal most cases 20 29 36 33 19 36 Illegal most cases 53 37 26 11 44 22 Illegal all cases 17 12 10 1 16 5 DK/NA 6 6 3 5 6 4 TREND: Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases, or illegal in all cases? LEGAL....... ILLEGAL.... All Most Most All DK/NA May 22, 2019 28 32 27 8 5 Jul 25, 2018 26 38 19 10 7 Dec 13, 2017 21 39 22 12 5 Feb 08, 2017 27 35 23 11 4 Jan 27, 2017 28 36 22 9 5 Jan 12, 2017 28 34 21 11 6 Nov 23, 2016 26 38 22 10 4 Sep 28, 2015 22 35 28 12 3 Aug 31, 2015 23 33 26 14 4 Nov 25, 2014 23 33 24 12 8 See additional trend information at top of page 43. How about when the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest; do you think abortion should be legal in that situation or illegal? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Legal 82% 68% 92% 83% 83% 81% 85% 80% Illegal 13 25 5 10 11 14 11 15 DK/NA 6 7 3 6 6 5 4 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Legal 88% 86% 85% 75% 83% 80% 81% 90% 75% Illegal 9 9 11 17 12 16 14 6 14 DK/NA 3 4 3 8 5 4 4 4 10 RELIGION................. Wht ATTEND SRVCS Evang Prot Cath None Weekly Less Legal 57% 75% 80% 98% 62% 89% Illegal 33 20 11 1 29 7 DK/NA 9 4 9 1 9 4 TREND: How about when the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest; do you think abortion should be legal in that situation or illegal? Legal Illegal DK/NA May 22, 2019 82 13 6 Aug 31, 2015 78 17 5 44. In general, do you agree or disagree with the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to an abortion? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Agree 65% 34% 92% 66% 65% 66% 70% 54% Disagree 27 58 4 24 27 28 25 37 DK/NA 7 9 4 10 9 6 4 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Agree 76% 74% 62% 57% 60% 62% 61% 81% 69% Disagree 18 22 33 31 32 32 32 10 22 DK/NA 6 4 5 12 8 6 7 9 10 RELIGION................. Wht ATTEND SRVCS Evang Prot Cath None Weekly Less Agree 28% 50% 64% 89% 36% 76% Disagree 64 39 28 8 54 19 DK/NA 8 11 8 3 10 6 TREND: In general, do you agree or disagree with the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to an abortion? Agree Disagr DK/NA May 22, 2019 65 27 7 Jul 02, 2018 63 31 6 Feb 08, 2017 67 29 4 Jan 27, 2017 70 26 4 Jan 12, 2017 68 28 4 Nov 23, 2016 67 30 3 Feb 07, 2013 63 30 7 Feb 23, 2012 64 31 5 Apr 21, 2010 60 35 5 Jul 17, 2008 63 33 5 See additional trend information at top of page 45. Do you think it's likely that the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to choose an abortion will be overturned within the next few years, or don't you think so? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Likely 29% 28% 34% 29% 26% 31% 26% 37% No 57 61 52 60 60 55 62 53 DK/NA 14 11 14 11 14 14 13 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Likely 29% 26% 26% 34% 30% 35% 33% 20% 25% No 58 64 64 48 60 53 56 67 56 DK/NA 13 11 10 18 10 12 11 13 19 RELIGION................. Wht ATTEND SRVCS Evang Prot Cath None Weekly Less Yes/Likely 35% 30% 23% 32% 26% 29% No 56 55 62 57 55 59 DK/NA 9 15 14 11 19 12 TREND: Do you think it's likely that the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to choose an abortion will be overturned within the next few years, or don't you think so? Yes/ Likely No DK/NA May 22, 2019 29 57 14 Jul 25, 2018 27 62 10 46. In general, do you think the Supreme Court should make it easier or harder to get an abortion in the United States? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Easier 40% 15% 66% 36% 37% 43% 45% 28% Harder 36 69 13 31 35 37 29 51 NEITHER(VOL) 14 8 13 21 15 13 15 11 DK/NA 10 7 7 11 13 7 10 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Easier 56% 52% 36% 29% 34% 38% 36% 56% 48% Harder 21 27 41 45 39 43 41 25 26 NEITHER(VOL) 14 13 16 13 13 12 13 13 19 DK/NA 9 8 8 13 14 7 10 5 7 RELIGION................. Wht ATTEND SRVCS Evang Prot Cath None Weekly Less Easier 10% 27% 38% 61% 19% 48% Harder 75 50 37 11 62 28 NEITHER(VOL) 8 10 14 19 10 15 DK/NA 7 13 11 10 9 9 47. Do you support or oppose banning abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detectable, which is usually around 6 weeks of pregnancy? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 41% 62% 25% 36% 43% 39% 33% 50% Oppose 48 28 67 50 45 51 57 39 DK/NA 11 10 8 14 12 10 9 11 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 39% 41% 43% 41% 44% 41% 43% 28% 49% Oppose 54 51 47 45 46 49 48 61 40 DK/NA 7 8 10 13 11 9 10 11 11 RELIGION................. Wht ATTEND SRVCS Evang Prot Cath None Weekly Less Support 64% 47% 52% 23% 55% 37% Oppose 27 41 39 67 35 53 DK/NA 9 12 9 10 9 11 48. Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws in the United States? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 61% 32% 91% 59% 53% 68% 65% 53% Oppose 34 62 9 33 41 27 33 43 DK/NA 5 6 - 8 6 5 2 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 62% 67% 60% 60% 50% 66% 59% 85% 59% Oppose 32 29 39 36 46 31 38 15 30 DK/NA 5 5 2 4 4 4 4 1 12 GUN......... HsHld Owner Support 45% 39% Oppose 51 56 DK/NA 4 5 TREND: Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws in the United States? Sup Opp DK/NA May 22, 2019 61 34 5 Mar 06, 2019 60 35 5 Jan 14, 2019 56 40 4 Nov 21, 2018 58 36 6 Apr 11, 2018 56 39 4 Mar 06, 2018 63 32 5 Feb 20, 2018 66 31 4 Dec 20, 2017 59 36 5 Nov 15, 2017 60 36 3 Oct 12, 2017 60 36 3 See additional trend information at top of page 49. Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 94% 92% 98% 94% 91% 97% 94% 94% Oppose 4 6 2 4 7 2 5 5 DK/NA 2 2 - 3 2 2 1 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 97% 93% 93% 94% 92% 96% 94% 97% 94% Oppose 3 4 6 4 7 2 4 3 4 DK/NA 1 3 - 2 1 1 1 - 2 GUN......... HsHld Owner Support 92% 90% Oppose 7 9 DK/NA 1 1 TREND: Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? Sup Opp DK/NA May 22, 2019 94 4 2 Mar 06, 2019 93 6 1 Jan 14, 2019 92 6 1 Feb 20, 2018 97 2 1 Dec 20, 2017 95 4 1 Nov 15, 2017 95 4 1 Oct 12, 2017 94 5 1 Jun 28, 2017 94 5 - Jun 30, 2016 93 6 1 Nov 05, 2015 93 5 1 See additional trend information at top of page 50. Do you support or oppose requiring individuals to obtain a license before being able to purchase a gun? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 77% 65% 92% 75% 68% 85% 82% 72% Oppose 19 31 6 19 27 11 15 23 DK/NA 4 4 2 5 5 4 3 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 83% 75% 77% 76% 68% 85% 77% 91% 79% Oppose 14 22 19 19 28 10 18 9 18 DK/NA 2 3 4 5 4 5 5 - 4 GUN......... HsHld Owner Support 68% 60% Oppose 28 35 DK/NA 4 5 51. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 63% 39% 87% 63% 51% 74% 71% 52% Oppose 33 57 11 32 44 23 26 44 DK/NA 4 4 2 5 5 3 4 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 57% 61% 62% 71% 47% 75% 62% 80% 70% Oppose 40 35 35 23 50 22 35 18 27 DK/NA 2 4 3 5 3 3 3 3 4 GUN......... HsHld Owner Support 49% 41% Oppose 47 55 DK/NA 4 5 TREND: Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? Sup Opp DK/NA May 22, 2019 63 33 4 Mar 06, 2018 61 35 4 Feb 20, 2018 67 29 4 Nov 15, 2017 65 31 5 Oct 12, 2017 64 32 4 Jun 30, 2016 59 37 4 Dec 23, 2015 58 38 4 Apr 04, 2013 59 36 4 Mar 07, 2013 54 41 6 Feb 07, 2013 56 39 5
