LINCOLN, NEBRASKA—Nebraskans overwhelmingly oppose an extreme abortion ban that would outlaw abortion in the state in the absence of federal protections, according to a new poll released today by the ACLU of Nebraska
Impact Research conducted the poll earlier this month, finding 55 percent of respondents opposed the ban and 40 percent of respondents supported it. Also, those who strongly oppose the ban outpaced those who strongly support it by a 20-point margin. More than 500 Nebraska voters from across the state’s three Congressional Districts were surveyed for the poll from March 2-7.
“This poll confirms what we already know—extreme attacks against Nebraskans’ reproductive freedom does not align with our values as a state,” said Andi Curry Grubb, State Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska. “Regardless of our personal beliefs on abortion, we can all agree that people have the fundamental right to determine and plan their futures. Today’s polling confirms Nebraskans value their reproductive freedom, and they don’t want politicians controlling their reproductive health.”
The poll comes as Nebraska state senators consider a motion to pull the so-called “trigger ban” LB933 out of committee, setting it up for debate and a vote before the Senate. Senators will vote Friday on the motion to pull the bill to general file and bring it to a vote.
State senators who support the ban could face political repercussions, according to the poll. It showed 46 percent of respondents would be less likely to vote for a candidate who supports a ban on all abortions, compared to 32 percent of respondents who said a candidate’s support of a total ban would make them more likely to support the candidate.
“This extreme abortion ban does nothing more than harm Nebraskans by jeopardizing their health and futures,” Curry Grubb said. “It will have long-lasting, irreversible consequences on our state. Nebraskans need to know the vote on this trigger ban will very likely determine the future of safe and legal abortion in Nebraska for generations to come. And Nebraskans are very clearly opposed to making abortion illegal, according to this poll.”
The trigger ban comes during a time of national uncertainty around federal abortion protections. The U.S. Supreme Court in December heard oral arguments regarding a 15-week ban in Mississippi that directly challenges the protections established by Roe v. Wade almost 50 years ago and is expected to release a ruling this summer. Many expect the court to overrule or gut Roe v. Wade, which would immediately trigger abortion bans like the one proposed in LB933.The Court has also declined to intervene in a Texas six-week ban that places enforcement in the hands of private citizens.
If the Court erodes or eliminates the federal right to abortion, Nebraska’s 49 state senators would decide the future of abortion access. Abortion in Nebraska is already highly restricted by laws that place burdensome, medically unnecessary requirements on patients and providers. The Guttmacher Institute categorizes the state as hostile to reproductive rights.
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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska Action Fund, formerly PP Voters of Nebraska, is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization. As the advocacy and electoral arm of PPNCS, we mobilize supporters of all parties to defend and increase access to family planning services and fact based, medically accurate sexuality education. We work to inspire and engage citizens to take up the cause of reproductive health and rights through education, electoral activity, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy.
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