Abortion Rights Still a Major Vote Driver, Even Without Ballot Measures

In states where abortion isn't on the ballot, supporters are still using the issue to rally voters. Despite no direct ballot measures, North Carolina, Texas, and Georgia are seeing a surge in activism. Groups like Planned Parenthood are encouraging voters to choose candidates who stand for reproductive rights. In North Carolina, volunteers are canvassing neighborhoods, hanging door hangers, and talking to voters about the importance of reproductive freedom. Even though North Carolina doesn't allow statewide ballot measures on abortion, organizers believe changing the legislature could make a difference. Similar efforts are happening in Georgia and Texas. In Georgia, supporters are trying to elect candidates who are against the state's six-week abortion ban. In Texas, the focus is on ousting conservative judges and supporting pro-choice representatives like Colin Allred. Abortion was a key issue in the 2022 midterms, and experts predict it will remain important this year. Diana Mutz from the University of Pennsylvania explained that losing an existing right can motivate voters. She noted that Democrats have a unified stance on abortion rights, making it easier for them to campaign on the issue. Public polls in North Carolina show that many residents oppose the state's 12-week abortion ban. This disapproval is driving voters to support candidates who promise to protect abortion rights. On the other side, Republican volunteers are also working hard to retain their veto-proof supermajority in the North Carolina legislature. At the state fair, they reminded fairgoers about early voting and discussed their views on abortion. In Texas, the U. S. Senate race is competitive. Abortion rights advocates are using the anger of Texas women to push for change. They are running ads featuring stories of women who had to leave the state for treatment or faced delays in care. In Amarillo, there's a fight against a ballot initiative that would ban out-of-state abortion travel. Activists see this as a way to protect women's rights. In Georgia, organizers are canvassing for state candidates who support increased abortion access. The deaths of two women tied to the state's abortion ban have sparked outrage and action. Canvassers from Planned Parenthood are working tirelessly to get voters to support pro-choice candidates. They believe that abortion rights can be a winning issue.