Simone Lawson
Abortion has been a highly divisive issue in American politics, with the Republican and Democratic parties holding opposing views. While the Republican Party platform states that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life, the Democratic Party platform, under President Biden, includes a section on Reproductive Freedom, acknowledging the dangers of extreme abortion bans imposed by some states. This topic has gained prominence in the 2024 election, with Vice President Kamala Harris initiating a Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour in Florida, a state with a six-week abortion ban. Interestingly, some Republican candidates, like Trump and Haley, have avoided mentioning abortion in their 2024 campaign launches, despite it being a central issue for conservatives for decades.
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What You'll Learn
Republicans' 2024 campaign launches avoided mentioning abortion
The 2024 election cycle is a critical one for abortion rights in the United States. With the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, abortion has become a top issue for voters, particularly women under 45, who see it as the "single most important issue".
The Democratic Party platform explicitly mentions reproductive rights and abortion, with President Biden and Vice President Harris pledging to restore these rights. The party's platform includes a section on Reproductive Freedom, acknowledging the dangers of abortion bans in numerous states and the need to protect women's health and the rights of healthcare providers.
On the other hand, the Republican Party has found itself in a tricky situation regarding abortion. While the party platform has traditionally supported a federal ban on abortion, stating that "the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed", there are internal divisions. Some Republicans, particularly those who identify as moderate or liberal, support legal abortion, while others want to leave the decision to the states, reflecting the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson ruling.
In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, the Republican Party's strategy appears to be one of avoidance and obfuscation. The Trump campaign has been accused of keeping the issue in the shadows, and there is infighting within the party over how to address abortion. Some Republicans are trying to soften their stances, aware that the pro-choice vote cannot be underestimated.
The Republican Party's challenge is to navigate these differing views and craft a coherent message that appeals to their base while not alienating more moderate voters. This careful approach is reflected in their initial campaign launches, which have avoided directly mentioning abortion, instead focusing on other issues.
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Democrats' 2024 campaign focuses on restoring reproductive rights
Democrats have placed abortion rights at the heart of their 2024 election campaign, aiming to harness the anger over the loss of federal abortion protections. The party platform explicitly states that "President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats are committed to restoring the reproductive rights Trump ripped away".
Abortion is a top issue in the 2024 election, with a growing share of voters in swing states saying it is central to their decision. It is the single most important issue for women under 45. Democrats are seeking to build on their success in the 2022 midterms, where support for abortion rights drove women to the polls, delivering the Democrats an unexpected victory.
The Biden campaign has released ads focused on women in key battleground states, highlighting the impact of abortion bans and the loss of reproductive rights. The party is also stressing Americans' desire to keep the government out of their personal lives, with Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, stating that "a vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is a vote to restore Roe, and a vote for Donald Trump is a vote to ban abortion across the country".
Vice President Harris has launched a "Fighting for Reproductive Freedom" bus tour across several battleground states, including Florida, a state with abortion on the ballot this year. The Democratic Party platform includes a section on "Reproductive Freedom", acknowledging the danger that abortion bans pose to women's health and lives, and the party is committed to protecting access to contraception and IVF treatment.
Democrats face challenges, however, as many voters are turned off by the prospect of a 2024 Trump-Biden rematch, and other issues such as the economy, foreign policy, immigration, and inflation are also important to voters. Nonetheless, Democrats believe that abortion will be a key motivator for their base and will help expand their coalition, especially among women and young people, a core Democratic constituency.
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Republicans' religious voters are more anti-abortion
Abortion is a key issue in the 2024 election, with a growing number of voters in swing states claiming it will be central to their decision. The Democratic Party platform, written when President Biden was the Democratic candidate, includes a section on “Reproductive Freedom”, acknowledging the danger of abortion bans in over 20 states. The platform also indicates that Democrats will work to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federally funded abortions.
In contrast, the Republican Party platform states that "the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed". While support for these positions is not universal, Republicans who favour legal abortion are less religious than abortion opponents in the GOP. Among Republicans who oppose legal abortion, 62% are Protestants, including around 39% who are White evangelical Protestants, and 39% are highly religious.
Historically, the Republican Party has been influenced by a coalition of political and religious conservatives, particularly in the late 1970s and into the 1990s. During this period, despite Americans becoming increasingly pro-choice, two anti-abortion Presidents were elected and served for 12 years. This shift occurred due to the Democratic New Deal coalition weakening, and the traditionally conservative south and west gaining more seats in the House of Representatives.
The influence of religious conservatives within the Republican Party has continued, with recent examples including a bill proposed in Georgia's Capitol in 2025, causing an uproar by proposing a near-total abortion ban. While some religious anti-abortion individuals opposed the bill, claiming it went too far with criminalization, the proposal was supported by many religious leaders and activists.
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Democrats' religious voters are more anti-abortion
Abortion is a key issue in the 2024 election, with a growing number of voters in swing states claiming it will be central to their decision. While the Democratic Party platform explicitly states support for "reproductive freedom" and access to "safe and legal abortion", there is a split within the party, with some Democrats taking a more anti-abortion stance.
The religious divide on abortion is particularly apparent within the Democratic Party. Democrats who say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases are much more religious than Democrats who say it should be legal. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2024 found that among Democrats who generally oppose legal abortion, 56% are White, compared to 37% of Democrats who support abortion rights. About half of anti-abortion Democrats are either Black (23%) or Hispanic (30%).
In contrast, Republicans who favor legal abortion are far less religious than those who oppose it within the GOP. Among Republicans who lean towards abortion rights, 53% describe their political ideology as moderate or liberal, and they are less likely to live in the South and more likely to live in the Northeast and West, where support for legal abortion is generally higher.
The religious divide is further highlighted by the fact that a large majority (78%) of Republicans who want abortion to be illegal identify as conservative, and 62% are Protestants, including 39% who are White evangelical Protestants. About four-in-ten (39%) of Republicans who oppose abortion are highly religious, according to a scale of religious commitment based on attendance at religious services, frequency of prayer, and the importance of religion in their lives.
While the Democratic Party platform supports access to legal abortion, the presence of religious voters within the party who are more anti-abortion adds complexity to the issue. This dynamic influences the party's strategies and policies regarding reproductive rights and shapes the overall landscape of abortion rights in the country.
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Republicans' anti-abortion stance since the 1970s
Since the 1970s, the Republican Party has shifted from a pro-choice to an anti-abortion stance, also known as "pro-life". This shift occurred due to several factors, including the changing political landscape and the influence of religious conservatives.
In the 1970s, the Republican Party was traditionally libertarian and did not have a unified position on abortion. However, as the Democratic New Deal coalition began to weaken, and the conservative south and west gained more representation in the House of Representatives, the Republican Party saw an opportunity to appeal to a new base. By the late 1970s, a coalition of political and religious conservatives had captured the Republican Party and the national agenda. This shift was driven by Republican analysts who recognized the changing political landscape and sought to attract social conservatives, especially those with anti-abortion views, to their party.
The influence of religious conservatives, including fundamentalist Christians and the Catholic Church, was significant. They were outraged by Supreme Court decisions that legalized abortion and worked to mobilize their followers through preachers and televangelists like Jerry Falwell. The new right also attempted to appeal to the nation's Roman Catholics through the right-to-life movement, with varying levels of success.
The election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 further solidified the anti-abortion stance within the Republican Party. For the next 12 years, Republican policies were crafted to please this new conservative base, and funding was denied to important international family planning agencies. While there were some setbacks for the anti-abortion movement during this time, such as sexual scandals involving religious leaders and infighting among pro-lifers, they maintained their hold on the Republican Party.
Today, the Republican Party platform states that "the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed," reflecting their continued commitment to an anti-abortion stance. While there are some Republicans who support legal abortion, they are in the minority and the party's policies continue to be shaped by the anti-abortion forces that gained influence in the 1970s.
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Frequently asked questions
The Democratic Party platform supports access to "reproductive freedom" and safe and legal abortion. The Biden-Harris administration has taken steps to protect reproductive rights, such as enabling pharmacies to dispense medication abortion. They also aim to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federally funded abortions.
The Republican Party platform states that "the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed". They have historically been anti-abortion, with leaders such as Trump and Haley advocating for restrictions on abortion. However, there are some Republicans who support legal abortion, and the party's stance is evolving.
Abortion is a top issue in the 2024 election, with a growing share of voters, especially women under 45, considering it a central factor in their decision. Vice President Kamala Harris has made "reproductive freedom" a key part of her campaign. Meanwhile, Republican candidates have largely avoided the topic, despite it being a central issue for conservatives for decades.
