As Voting Begins Across the Country, Voters Are Determined to Protect Abortion Access 

Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations share stories from the field on voter enthusiasm 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With only two weeks left until Election Day, millions of voters are heading out to cast their ballots for candidates who will protect reproductive health care, including abortion access. Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations are on the ground in key states as part of their 2022 electoral program “Take Control,” the groups’ largest ever investment in an electoral cycle. Canvassers in these states are hard at work to ensure that voters know when, where, and how to vote this year, including by mail, early in-person, and at the polls on Election Day, as well as which candidates support their reproductive freedom and the ability to access essential health care. 

Across the country, voters are making one thing clear–they are ready to take control and make their voices heard at the ballot box.

Take a look at some stories from the field from Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations’ canvassers:

NORTH CAROLINA:

• One phone banker spoke with a 59-year-old woman who said she was planning to vote for all Planned Parenthood Votes- and Planned Parenthood Action PAC North Carolina- supported candidates on Election Day. She also shared that the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was, quote, “an attack on democracy.”
• One phone banker spoke to a woman who shared that she had very staunch Christian values and would never get an abortion herself but still believed in the importance of abortion access for other people and could judge women for making the decisions they feel are best for themselves. She stated that she was supporting pro-abortion rights candidates in the midterm election. 
• A 57-year-old woman pledged to vote and thanked a canvasser for their work in helping elect pro-choice candidates. Not only did she say that she was voting for all of the candidates highlighted by Planned Parenthood Votes and Planned Parenthood Action PAC North Carolina, she also stated that she had a Take Control phone banker on speakerphone so her husband could hear the information as well. They will both be voting for candidates who support abortion rights this November. 

An event in North Carolina organized by Black and Muslim Planned Parenthood Votes organizers who work to turn out the vote in communities of color  

MICHIGAN: 

• One female voter said, “I’m so glad we have a woman governor who is fighting for my right to an abortion instead of blindly following Trump for power.” She also added, “They [anti-abortion politicians] act like people aren’t still going to go and get an abortion somehow; they just won’t be safe.”

Michigan Planned Parenthood Votes PAC canvassers 

GEORGIA: 

• A Planned Parenthood Votes canvasser spoke to an undecided voter who said the whole process just seemed confusing and overwhelming. The canvasser explained how simple it was and even helped her find her polling location. The canvasser said the voter was happy that someone took the time to explain things to her and that she would definitely be going to the polls on November 8.

A Planned Parenthood Votes canvasser talked to a woman who was very enthusiastic about Planned Parenthood and was happy to see canvassers in her neighborhood. At the end of the conversation, she asked the canvasser if she could have a sign to put in her yard to show her support for the necessary work we are doing.

Georgia Weekend of Action

MINNESOTA: 

• A Planned Parenthood of Minnesota Political Action Fund canvasser spoke to a voter who worked as a nurse in the ‘50s and ‘60s and said she already witnessed how hard things can be for women when abortion is restricted. 

A Minnesota canvasser getting into the holiday spirit! 

PENNSYLVANIA: 

• In Pittsburgh, one 84-year-old woman told a canvasser to "go kick some ass out there if you have to." She said that she had six sisters all older than her and that she cares deeply about protecting reproductive rights. 
• In Bucks County, one 91-year-old woman spoke very passionately about the overturning of Roe v. Wade being disrespectful to women after years of work for women's rights.

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Planned Parenthood Votes is an independent expenditure political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission.