BY THE NUMBERS: HOW PLANNED PARENTHOOD ADVOCACY AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS ACHIEVED DECISIVE VICTORIES FOR ABORTION RIGHTS

Washington, D.C. — There is no debate: Abortion rights altered the course of the 2022 midterm election. While we do not know the outcome in every race yet, we do know that millions of people nationwide turned out to vote for reproductive rights champions and abortion ballot measures. Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations made a historic investment to help make it happen.

Statement from Jenny Lawson, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Votes:

“The Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade ignited a wave of anger and energy, and Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations were ready to turn that energy into action. Passionate organizers and volunteers on the ground worked tirelessly to ensure that voters knew when, where, and how to vote, and which candidates will fight for their reproductive freedom. These victories are a testament to the legwork they put in to ensure that everyone can make their voices heard at the ballot box.”

Fueled by dedicated volunteers, supporters, organizers, and staff, Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations:

• Reached 10 million voters via paid media and digital programs;
• Reached 3.1 million voters through field, phones, texts and mail;
• Sent 1.4 million text messages to voters;
• Knocked on 1.1 million doors;
• Made 740,000 phone calls;
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund members volunteered directly for abortion rights candidates, attending nearly 1,000 events

Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations recruited 28,000 volunteers across the country filling 35,000 shifts to elect champions up and down the ballot in the 2022 election. This electoral program prioritized communicating with diverse communities and young people. 30% of the voters contacted were Black, Latino, or Indigenous, and 32% were between the ages of 18-35 years-old.  

The Action Fund held membership events in Wisconsin and North Carolina, where members heard about the role abortion would play in changing the dynamics of the election; from abortion storytellers explaining how access to abortion changed their lives; and from candidates about why abortion was important to them and their races.

Action Fund President Alexis McGill Johnson traveled to Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Nevada.

Cheri Beasley speaks to Action Fund members at an Action Fund event in Raleigh, N.C. (Amanda Rudd courtesy of Planned Parenthood Action Fund)

Arizona Planned Parenthood Votes canvassers in the field

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.