SURVEY: Strong Majority of Latinos Oppose Political Interference on Abortion Issue

A new survey conducted by Lake Research Partners found that strong majorities of Latino voters opposed politicians interfering in personal, private decisions about abortion, affirmed that they would offer support to a close friend or family member who had an abortion, and are willing to disagree with church leaders on abortion.

Nearly seven in ten Latino voters agreed with the statement, “even though church leaders take a position against abortion, when it comes to the law, I believe it should remain legal.” This groundbreaking poll, conducted on behalf of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and the Reproductive Health Technologies Project, sheds new light on Latino/a attitudes by going beyond legality to gauge feelings related to judgment and support around abortion and a woman’s decision to end a pregnancy.

Latino/a voters might reject judgmental attitudes toward abortion or a woman who has an abortion, with nearly three in four Latino/a registered voters agreeing that we should not judge someone who feels they are not ready to be a parent.

The research shows that there are widespread misconceptions about Latino/a attitudes and reproductive choice.

Key findings:

• Latinos support a woman’s right to make decisions.
74% of Latino registered voters agree that a woman has a right to make her own personal, private decisions about abortion without politicians interfering.
• Latinos don’t think we should judge other women’s decisions.
73% of Latino registered voters agree that we should not judge someone who feels they are not ready to be a parent. 57% strongly agrees with this statement.
• Latinos are supportive of close friends and family members choosing abortion.
67% of Latino voters say they would give support to a close friend or family member who had an abortion. 43% say they would provide a lot of support. Only 23% says they would not feel comfortable offering support.
• Latinos don’t think money should determine access to abortion.
61% agree that the amount of money a woman has or does not have should not determine whether she could have an abortion when she needs one.
• Latinos are willing to disagree with church leaders.
68% agree with the statement “even though church leaders take a position against abortion, when it comes to the law, I believe it should remain legal.”