Voters Will Hold Anti-Abortion Politicians Accountable in November for Stripping Reproductive Rights

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Supreme Court, ignoring overwhelming public support for legal abortion, overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion. This is a devastating decision for people across the country. Now, 26 states will likely move to ban abortion, potentially leaving 36 million women, plus more people who can become pregnant, without access. Due to this country’s legacy of racism and discrimination, this ruling will do the most harm to Black, Latino and other communities of color, people with low incomes, and people living in rural communities.

But the court didn’t act alone. This ruling is largely the result of politicians'  decades-long, coordinated effort to control our bodies and our futures. The ultimate goal of these narrow-minded politicians is to ban abortion nationwide, and they won’t give up unless voters stop them. The stakes in November's midterm elections are higher than ever for reproductive health and rights, including abortion.

Statement from Jenny Lawson, executive director, Planned Parenthood Votes:

“The shock waves from today’s devastating decision will ripple through to November, when our choices this election cycle could not be clearer. One side worked for years to overturn Roe v. Wade and now wants a nationwide abortion ban. The other is fighting to leave personal health care decisions up to a patient and their doctor. Voters see this court ruling, they see states already banning abortion, they see their freedoms being handed over to politicians, and they are outraged. This November, Planned Parenthood Votes will ensure that outrage translates to massive voter turnout and victories for candidates who unapologetically support abortion rights.”    

These politicians will not stop at ending Roe. They want to ban abortion nationwide — acting against the will of the people— and launch more attacks against our bodies. Abortion rights are overwhelmingly popular: Voters oppose overturning Roe by a 30 point margin and 75% of people say decisions on abortion should be left to the woman and her doctor, including 95% of Democrats, 81% of independents, and 53% of Republicans.

Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations will run their largest-ever midterm electoral programs to elect abortion rights champions up and down the ballot. Collectively, NARAL Pro-Choice America, EMILY’s List, and Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations will spend $150 million dollars on the midterms. These programs will reach millions of voters using face-to-face conversations, phone calls, and mail, and digital advertising. Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations will be active in Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Kansas, Wisconsin, and other states to elect champions for sexual and reproductive health care in state legislature, governor, and Congressional races.

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