Poll Watch: Pew Research Survey on Roe v. Wade

Pew Research Poll on Roe v. Wade

In 1973 the Roe versus Wade decision established a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion, at least in the first three months of pregnancy. Would you like to see the Supreme Court completely overturn its Roe versus Wade decision, or not?

• Yes, overturn Roe v. Wade 29%
• No, do not overturn Roe v. Wade 63%

Among Democrats

• Yes, overturn Roe v. Wade 20%
• No, do not overturn Roe v. Wade 74%

Among Republicans

• Yes, overturn Roe v. Wade 46%
• No, do not overturn Roe v. Wade 48%

Among Independents

• Yes, overturn Roe v. Wade 28%
• No, do not overturn Roe v. Wade 64%

College Graduates

• Yes, overturn Roe v. Wade 22%
• No, do not overturn Roe v. Wade 73%

High School Education or Less

• Yes, overturn Roe v. Wade 36%
• No, do not overturn Roe v. Wade 53%

Survey of 1,502 adults was conducted January 9-13, 2013. The margin of error is +/- 2.9 percentage points. 

Inside the numbers: 

There is no gender gap in opinions about Roe v. Wade: Nearly identical percentages of women (64%) and men (63%) oppose reversing the decision.

White evangelical Protestants are the only major religious group in which a majority (54%) favors completely overturning the Roe v. Wade decision. Large percentages of white mainline Protestants (76%), Black Protestants (65%) and white Catholics (63%) say the ruling should not be overturned. Fully 82% of the religiously unaffiliated oppose overturning Roe v. Wade.

Half of Americans who attend religious services at least weekly favor completely overturning the Roe v. Wade decision, compared with just 17% of those who attend less often.