Midterm Voters Overwhelmingly Support Abortion Rights, Oppose Restrictions

CONCORD, NH – As the New Hampshire State Legislature begins its next session, election data shows voters support abortion rights, oppose restrictions, and disagree with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning federal protections for abortion. 

Post-election data shows Granite Staters turned out in record numbers on Nov. 8, and they overwhelmingly supported candidates who campaigned on protecting reproductive rights and freedoms. In fact, Planned Parenthood NH Action Fund PAC endorsed Executive Council candidates received 2,000 more votes in November; unfortunately, gerrymandered redistricting has resulted in a distribution of representation that does not adequately reflect the will of the people. 

Turnout for a midterm election was at a record high of 626,931 voters, up from 580,214 in 2018. According to new polling from UNH survey center, nearly 40% of independents listed “abortion or women’s rights” as their reason for voting. This view was consistent nationwide, where swing voters, particularly those who cast ballots in competitive races across the country, overwhelmingly favored pro-abortion Democrats, according to data released last week by Navigator Research. Nationwide, voter turnout was driven, in part, by concern about abortion and reproductive health care, particularly among voters under age 30.

Despite this clear message from voters, some anti-abortion politicians in New Hampshire are pushing additional abortion access restrictions. There are at least five bills filed that would create more barriers to care in the Granite State - including a near total abortion ban. There is also legislation filed to further restrict funding for reproductive health centers, bills to put politicians between families and doctors in complicated birthing situations, a bill to repeal New Hampshire’s menstrual equity in schools law, and more. This draws a stark comparison to the phony pledge of House leadership that “they’re not going to see anymore restrictions coming down the road on abortion.”

Statement from Kayla Montgomery, Vice President of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund:

“The Nov. 8 election results underscore what we already knew before the midterms - a majority of American voters, including in New Hampshire, want abortion to be safe and legal and they won’t stand for their rights and freedoms being taken away. The loss of federal protections for abortion galvanized people to show up and support candidates who have promised to champion pro-reproductive rights legislation. Granite Staters want their elected representatives to protect and expand access to reproductive health care, including abortion.

Yet, a legislative preview of attacks has made it clear that we must remain vigilant in efforts to defend bodily autonomy. Already, anti-reproductive health politicians are pushing to put abortion out of reach for Granite Staters, including a near total abortion ban.

While campaigning for re-election, State House leadership indicated they wouldn’t pursue additional restrictions on abortion care but their members are singing a different tune. It’s clear they don’t trust Granite Staters to make personal, private medical decisions - and we can’t trust them with our rights. 

Planned Parenthood will proudly continue leading efforts to protect access to the full range of reproductive rights - no matter what.” 

BACKGROUND:

2023 LSRs:

LSR	Title	Prime Sponsor
2023-0154	relative to menstrual hygiene products in schools.	Jess Edwards
2023-0213	relative to the right of any infant born alive to appropriate medical care and treatment.	Glenn Cordelli
2023-0234	requiring independent audits of reproductive health care facilities.	Jess Edwards
2023-0260	requiring informed consent prior to receiving an abortion procedure.	Dave Testerman
2023-0262	prohibiting abortions after detection of fetal heartbeat.	Dave Testerman

 

Anti-Abortion State Representative Candidate Statements During the Election:

• Rep. Terry Roy - R (elected): “I would be ecstatic if abortion were illegal totally.” 
• Rep. Greeson - R (elected): “I would personally love to see no abortions ever take place.”

Polling:

• August 2022 polling by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center shows that support for abortion rights in New Hampshire is at a historic high and nearly 6 in 10 voters disapproved of the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022.
• Polling released in July, 2021 from the UNH Survey Center shows that New Hampshire’s newly-enacted abortion ban is deeply unpopular, with only one-third of Granite Staters in support of it. Nearly half of independent Granite Staters oppose this ban, as do 27 percent of Republicans.
• The truth is, most Granite Staters and most Americans support access to safe, legal abortion. If someone has decided to have an abortion, more than 8 in 10 respondents want the experience to be supportive and nonjudgmental, without added burdens or protesters, affordable and safe. 
• Swing voters, particularly those who cast ballots in competitive races across the country, overwhelmingly favored pro-abortion Democrats on Nov. 8, according to Navigator Research data, and surveyed “winning swing” voters cited abortion as a primary reason to vote for Democrats overall. Seven in 10 winning swing voters who helped embattled Democrats win on Nov. 8 identify as pro-abortion, and 92% believe abortion should be legal, according to the Navigator Research survey. A majority of respondents disagreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2022 ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and 64% of swing voters said the ruling itself was a reason they voted for Democrats over Republicans. 

New Hampshire’s 24 Week Abortion Ban

• New Hampshire’s abortion ban is extreme for many reasons. It has no exceptions for rape or incest; and it has a very narrow exception for maternal physical health. When it was signed into law by Governor Sununu, it required ultrasounds prior to all abortion care - at every stage of pregnancy - and did not include an exception for fatal fetal diagnoses.
• Additionally, this abortion ban criminalizes health care providers with a class B felony which could come with up to seven years in prison and a fine up to $100,000, allows husbands to file civil actions, and allows the patient’s parents to file civil actions.
• There are no other medical procedures in New Hampshire law subject to felony charges and imprisonment for health care professionals.
• Nearly 200 New Hampshire medical providers opposed this bill during the legislative process. 

New Hampshire Family Planning Contracts

• The Executive Council voted 4-1 against contracts for the reproductive health care providers in September 2021, December 2021, January 2022, and July 2022; because of the votes, these providers have not received any state funding toward their family planning services, which includes STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and birth control, since June 30, 2021. In 2020-2021, PPNNE, Equality Health Center, and Lovering Health Center provided care to approximately 75 percent of patients in the New Hampshire Family Planning Program.

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Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (PPNHAF) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in New Hampshire. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy. The Action Fund makes independent expenditures on behalf of or in opposition to targeted candidates for public office. Follow us on Twitter.