Poll Watch: CNN/ORC Survey on Abortion

CNN/ORC 2012 Abortion Poll

Do you think abortion should be legal under any circumstances, legal under only certain circumstances, or illegal in all circumstances? (If only certain circumstances:) Do you think abortion should be legal in most circumstances or only a few circumstances?

• Legal under any circumstances 36% (25%)
• Legal in most circumstances 11% (12%)
• Legal in a few circumstances 37% (41%)
• Illegal in all circumstances 13% (21%)

Among Democrats

• Legal under any circumstances 48% (34%)
• Legal in most circumstances 13% (14%)
• Legal in a few circumstances 27% (36%)
• Illegal in all circumstances 11% (16%)

Among Republicans

• Legal under any circumstances 20% (11%)
• Legal in most circumstances 9% (8%)
• Legal in a few circumstances 48% (53%)
• Illegal in all circumstances 22% (27%)

Among Independents

• Legal under any circumstances 35% (25%)
• Legal in most circumstances 6% (13%)
• Legal in a few circumstances 38% (38%)
  
• Illegal in all circumstances 14% (21%)

Among Moderates

• Legal under any circumstances 41% (29%)
• Legal in most circumstances 11% (11%)
• Legal in a few circumstances 33% (41%)
  
• Illegal in all circumstances 11% (18%)

Among Men

• Legal under any circumstances 31% (23%)
• Legal in most circumstances 9% (11%)
• Legal in a few circumstances 39% (43%)
  
• Illegal in all circumstances 14% (21%)

Among Women

• Legal under any circumstances 39% (27%)
• Legal in most circumstances 10% (13%)
• Legal in a few circumstances 34% (38%)
  
• Illegal in all circumstances 15% (21%)

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered. For each one, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal.

When the woman's life is endangered

• Legal 89%
• Illegal 8%

When the woman's physical health is endangered

• Legal 85%
• Illegal 11%

When the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest

• Legal 84%
• Illegal 13%

Survey of 924 registered voters was conducted August 22-23, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.  Results from the poll conducted September 9-11, 2011 are in parentheses.