Title: Abortion Issues - How They Affect American Politics
Headings: Abortion Issues in the United States
Abortion Issues in the United States
Why Abortion Issues Surface in Every American Election
When Abortion Is Legal In the United States
Current Status
History
Pros
Cons
Where It Stands

Content: Abortion Issues - How They Affect American Politics
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Abortion Issues in the United States
Why Abortion Issues Surface in Every American Election
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By
Kathy Gill
Politics Expert
M.S., Agricultural Economics, Virginia Tech
B.A., Journalism, University of Georgia
Kathy Gill is a former instructor at the University of Washington, a former lobbyist, and spent 20 years working public affairs executive in the natural resources industry
our editorial process
Kathy Gill
Updated May 04, 2019
Abortion issues surface in almost every American election, whether it's a local race for school board, a statewide race for governor or a federal contest for Congress or the White House. Abortion issues have polarized American society since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized the procedure. On one side are those who believe women are not entitled to end the life of an unborn child. On the other are those who believe women have the right to decide what happens to their body. Often there is no room for debate between the side. Related Story: Is Abortion the Right Thing to Do? In general, most Democrats support a woman's right to have an abortion and most Republicans oppose it. There are notable exceptions, though, including some politicians who have waffled on the issue. Some Democrats who are conservative when it comes to social issues such oppose abortion rights, and some moderate Republicans are open to allowing women to have the procedure.