LOCAL NEWS

Poll: 46% of Utahns say abortion should only be legal in cases of rape, incest, threats to mothers’ health

Jun 3, 2022, 10:00 PM | Updated: Jun 22, 2022, 11:56 am

Nearly half of Utahns say abortion should only be legal in cases of rape, incest and threats to the health of the mother, according to a new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll.

Moreover, 38% of the 808 registered Utah voters who responded to the recent public opinion poll said the state should determine laws regarding abortion, although 31% said government should not be involved in health care decisions. Twenty-five percent said the federal government should determine abortion laws.

The poll was conducted May 7-13, which was after the leak of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion that indicated the possibility that Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that found the U.S. Constitution protected a woman’s right to an abortion prior to the viability of the fetus, could be overturned.

Phillip Singer, assistant professor of political science at the University of Utah, whose research is focused on health and public health policy and politics in the United States, said the poll results reflect the complexity of the issue and as well as Utahns’ divergent views.

“More than a third of respondents think that abortion should be legal in some or in all cases. The vast majority of the remaining respondents think that it should be legal with some restrictions around the health of the mother, incest or rape. So I think that just highlights kind of the complex nature of abortion legislation and abortion opinion here in the state of Utah,” he said.

The poll has a margin of error of 3.46 percentage points.

Over the past 30 years, polls taken at different points in time suggest a “crystallization of opinion in this shift overall towards further restrictions on abortion, making it, you know, illegal in all or in most cases,” Singer said.

According to the poll results, 16% of people surveyed said abortion should be legal in all cases while 10% said it should illegal in all cases.

A combined 37% said abortion should either be legal in all cases, up to about 23 weeks of pregnancy or during the first trimester.

Support for policies that permit abortion only in cases of rape, incest and threats to the health of the mother was highest among respondents ages 57 and older, with 56% indicating that as their preference.

Karrie Galloway, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, said higher rates of opposition among a cohort that lived in a time when abortion on demand was not available and then became available under the Roe v. Wade decision, was somewhat surprising.

“Maybe it’s hard to remember. I would be very surprised that they would not have the compassion for what people go through,” she said.

Among people ages 18-24, 29% said abortion should be legal in all cases. Sixteen percent said abortion should be legal to the point of viability, approximately 23 week of pregnancy, and 12% said should be legal during the first trimester.

However, 12% of people surveyed who are ages 18-24 and also those ages 25-40 — what are typically considered child-bearing years — said it should be illegal in all cases. That was higher than respondents ages 41-56 and those age 57 and older. In both of those groups, 8% said said abortion should be illegal in all circumstances.

The youngest cohort also had the strongest opposition to government involvement in health care decisions, with 38% saying government should have no role.

Overturning Roe would put the issue in the hands of state legislatures.

In Utah, a Supreme Court decision that overturns Roe would trigger SB174, passed by the Utah Legislature in 2020. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, prohibits elective abortion but would allow procedures in instances of rape or incest, risk to the mother’s life and certain fetal defects.

McCay said it is premature to discuss Utah’s abortion policy until the Supreme Court rules on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, which centers on a Mississippi law banning all abortions over 15 weeks gestational age except in medical emergencies and in the case of severe fetal abnormality.

“Once that decision is made, we’ll be in a good situation to assess where we are and the intended or unintended consequences come as a result of SB174,” he said.

The results of the Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll “definitely validate that the state has a policy that the public can support. Whether that policy continues or changes in the future, we don’t know, but if you think the Supreme Court makes its decision, and if a ban on abortion or more restrictive controls on abortion would be appropriate, then I think this policy going into place, it shows that we’re in a pretty good spot from the public and public support,” McCay said.

Galloway said the association’s own polling and recent national polls indicate much stronger support for Roe v. Wade.

A Wall Street Journal/National Opinion Research Center poll released earlier this week found 68% of respondents think the ruling legalizing abortion nationwide should not be overturned — up 10 percentage points from a year ago. Thirty percent said the justices should strike it down.

Meanwhile, a recent Gallup poll showed that 55% of Americans identify themselves as “pro-choice,” up from 49% last year and the most since 56% identified as such in 1995.

Like McCay, Galloway said she is anxiously anticipating the Supreme Court’s ruling and what it will mean for Utah women who turn to Planned Parenthood for help. Work is underway to ensure patients continue to have access to comprehensive health care “if it doesn’t go the way we may have hoped,” she said.

“Luckily, Utah has states to the east and the west of us that are more compassionate about their health care services,” she said.

Galloway said she finds it “so hypocritical” that the Utah Legislature “was willing to make decisions for pregnant people on how to handle that pregnancy, but has over and over again refused to pass legislation or even consider legislation that would enable them to control their reproductive lives.

“I think of especially expanding Medicaid for low-income people to pay for family planning, health care, and three years in the row, the Legislature has never even brought it out of committee.”

Contributing: KSL TV

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Loren Richardson shoots video of him snowboarding when a Brighton man confronted him on Feb. 26. Th...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Brighton resident charged with threatening, pointing shotgun at snowboarder

A Brighton man was charged Thursday with aggravated assault and accused of pointing a shotgun at a backcountry skier who went on his property on Feb. 26.

40 minutes ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Eliza Pace

Breeze Airways announces new flights out of Provo to Dallas Fort Worth

Getting to the Lone Star State just got easier. Breeze Airways announced a new flights to Dallas Fort Worth from Provo.

1 hour ago

(KSL TV)...

Andrew Adams

Data shows significant uptick in gas prices over past month in Salt Lake area

Gas prices rose considerably over the past month in the Salt Lake area, according to data from industry watchers.

2 hours ago

A UDOT snowplow clears the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Feb. 9. Up to 2 feet of snow or more is...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Rain, snow to impact many parts of Utah throughout Easter weekend

It might be spring, but winter weather remains in Utah's forecast for Easter weekend as the end of the traditional snowpack collection period nears.

4 hours ago

Man being taken on stretcher to an ambulance figures blurred...

Lauren Steinbrecher

West Jordan man trying ‘to be funny’ allegedly shot and killed best friend

Investigators believe a joke between friends turned into the shooting death of a West Jordan man. The fatal mistake is also turning into a message police hope every gun owner can hear.

14 hours ago

Matt Gephardt meeting with Denis Hawkins after a rental car company after they ignored his calls fo...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt helps Spanish Fork man clear up insurance claim for rental car damage

Get Gephardt clears up an international rental car insurance standstill.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Poll: 46% of Utahns say abortion should only be legal in cases of rape, incest, threats to mothers’ health