Survey: 2-1, Americans Oppose Abortion Bans and Criminal Penalties 

Unfortunately New Hampshire Has Failed to Act to Protect Abortion Rights

CONCORD, NH – As our country marks the one-year anniversary of the leaked Supreme Court decision that would ultimately overturn Roe v. Wade and dismantle abortion access nationwide, a new survey shows an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose restrictions on abortion access and criminal penalties tied to abortion care. 

The Navigator Research Survey shows, across party lines, that Americans believe the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning federal protections for abortion was bad for the country, and that most Americans support Congressional action to protect access to abortion nationwide. The Navigator Survey is only the latest to confirm strong support for safe, legal abortion throughout pregnancy; a 50-state survey, PRRI found most Americans oppose abortion ban policies; 69% of Granite Staters believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

After the leaked Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling in May of 2022, the New Hampshire House of Representatives refused to pass the Access to Abortion-care Act (“AAA”); the New Hampshire Senate also rejected the AAA. House Majority Leader Jason Osborne referred to outcry over the potential loss of federal constitutional protections for abortion the “outrage du jour.” In 2023, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed the AAA with bipartisan support, however, the state Senate rejected HB 88 on party lines.

And in the face of a Texas court case that could dismantle medication abortion access nationwide, including in New Hampshire, Governor Chris Sununu chose to do nothing.  

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned last year, the state of New Hampshire has not finalized a single action toward protecting Granite Staters’ abortion rights. Because of legislative inaction, New Hampshire remains the only state in New England without proactive protections for abortion in state statute or constitution.

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

“These survey results are not surprising. Since the fall of Roe, abortion bans have eliminated all or some abortion access in 19 states: 1 in 3 Americans have lost access to abortion in their home state. We have seen how devastating the consequences of cruel and unnecessary restrictions harm families. 

The silence and inaction of some of our state’s elected leaders in the face of unprecedented attacks on reproductive freedom is deeply discouraging. However, we are inspired by Granite Staters who have spoken out over the last year, often sharing deeply personal stories, to urge New Hampshire lawmakers to take action to protect and expand access to abortion in our state. 

Public opinion and momentum is on our side. Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund will never stop fighting to ensure that everyone has access to safe, legal abortion care - no matter what.”

BACKGROUND:

Polling:

• A recently released survey from Breakthrough Campaigns conducted on behalf of Amplify NH shows that a supermajority of Granite Staters - 87% - support reproductive freedom and 64% of Granite Staters expect state elected officials to protect or expand abortion access in New Hampshire. Just 11% of Granite Staters want more abortion restrictions in the state.
• New polling from Maine shows that Majority of Mainers (67%) support expanding access to abortion later in pregnancy. The poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center in February 2023, indicates Mainers trust medical providers and their patients to make decisions about pregnancy and abortion. 
• In a 50-state survey, PRRI found most Americans oppose abortion ban policies; 69% of Granite Staters believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
• 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. 

The New Hampshire Landscape:

• Without Roe, abortion is still safe and legal in New Hampshire until 24 weeks - for now. A bill to ban abortion would have to pass to further dismantle access to abortion. 
• The restrictions on abortion in New Hampshire are clear: access to abortion at or after 24 weeks is banned, with no exceptions for rape or incest and doctors face criminalization. 
• NH RSA 329:49 says “Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion.”
• New Hampshire is the only state in New England without proactive protections for abortion rights in state statutes or our state constitution.

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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.