FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2023
Contact: Mary Owens, [email protected]
VA Voters Strongly Reject Abortion on Demand
Washington, D.C. – New polling conducted by WPA Intelligence for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and the Virginia Family Foundation shows voters strongly support protecting unborn children at 15 weeks, a point by which they can feel pain. Almost two thirds of voters also oppose allowing abortion on demand until birth. The poll surveyed 519 registered voters statewide from January 3-5, 2023.
Virginia lawmakers Del. Kathy Byron (R-22), a member of SBA Pro-Life America’s National Pro-Life Women’s Caucus, and Sen. Stephen Newman (R-23) introduced legislation last week that limits painful later-term abortions after 15 weeks, with exceptions in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. Governor Glenn Youngkin has called on the General Assembly to pass the bill.
Key poll findings include:
- 61% of likely voters support a bill protecting an unborn child after 15 weeks – a point when science shows they can feel pain – with exceptions for rape, incest or if the mother’s life is at risk.
- Includes 64% of Independents, 55% of Democrats, and 56% of women.
- 65% of likely voters oppose allowing abortion until the moment of birth.
- 60% of likely pro-choice voters agree with legislation that limits abortion after 15 weeks.
SBA Pro-Life America’s Southern Regional Director Caitlin Connors commented:
“By 15 weeks unborn children have fully formed organs, fingers and toes, and can feel excruciating pain. With the humanity of the unborn child undeniable, over 60% of Virginians – whether they’re pro-life or pro-choice – support limits on abortion at least by 15 weeks. We stand with Governor Youngkin in calling on the Assembly to listen to the clear will of the people and pass this compassionate bill that would save as many as 500 lives a year.”
Victoria Cobb, president of the Virginia Family Foundation, welcomed the new polling and voiced her support for the 15-week protections:
“Over 60% of Virginians agree that unborn babies who can feel pain deserve protection under our law. We will work hard to ensure that the legislature heeds this message and passes life-saving protections for unborn children and their mothers.”
More than a dozen states already enacted pro-life protections since the Dobbs Supreme Court decision, with the potential to save over 125,000 lives annually. To review the most accurate and up-to-date science of human prenatal development at 15 weeks of pregnancy, visit Charlotte Lozier Institute’s groundbreaking VoyageOfLife.com resource.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is a network of more than one million pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.
###
